More than two months into the 2017 season, the National League West is shaping up to be one of the best divisions in baseball. Entering play on Sunday, the Colorado Rockies (45-26), Arizona Diamondbacks (43-26) and Los Angeles Dodgers (43-26) comprised three of the top five records in baseball.
The Rockies are off to their best start in franchise history, but the biggest question surrounding them is if they can sustain that success and avoid the drop off that’s come in previous seasons. Colorado has not had a winning record since 2010 and have never won the NL West.
The Rockies’ impressive year has come in spite of injuries to key players such as Ian Desmond, David Dahl, Jon Gray and Chad Bettis. What’s more, Colorado is 25-13 away from Coors Field.
Dodgers reliever Sergio Romo recently praised the Rockies on being a formidable team, via Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports:
“They’re pretty scary, no lie,’’ says Dodgers reliever Sergio Romo.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shares a unique relationship with Rockies manager Bud Black, as they are neighbors, good friends and former colleagues. Roberts coached under Black when he was the manager of the San Diego Padres.
Roberts recently said they have put their relationship and communication on hold until the offseason since both teams are competing against one another for a division title.
Along with never winning a division title, the Rockies have made the postseason just twice in the last 21 years, and have won more than 90 games just once since their inception in 1992. So Black and the Rockies are currently in unchartered territory.
