Colorado Rockies on the Brink: Heading for a Historic Losing Season?
The patience of the Colorado Rockies, it seems, has its limits. Following a humiliating 21-0 defeat to the San Diego Padres, which left the team’s record at 6-33, the management made a drastic decision: the dismissal of manager Bud Black. This measure comes despite the vote of confidence that general manager Bill Schmidt had given to Black before the fateful game.
The Rockies are heading into a season that could mark a turning point in MLB history, similar to what the Chicago White Sox experienced in 2024, who fought to avoid the modern record for losses.
Saturday’s defeat was the culmination of a week to forget, where the Rockies allowed an astonishing number of runs: six, nine, eight, ten, eleven, thirteen, and twenty-one. This performance made them the first team in MLB history to allow at least eight runs and increase that figure in each of the following four games. The 21-0 defeat was the third-largest margin of difference since 1901.
The team’s situation is critical. Their earned run average (ERA) of 9.00 is alarming, even considering that 16 of the 78 total runs allowed were unearned.
Contrary to what owner Dick Monfort claimed in February, the Rockies’ infield defense does not seem to be living up to expectations. The team ranks 28th in MLB in defensive runs saved across all positions, and is last in runs allowed and second-to-last in runs scored.
While the responsibility doesn’t rest solely on Black, the current situation is the result of years of questionable decisions, including the lack of significant moves in the transfer market and the difficulty in getting the most out of key players like Kris Bryant.
On Sunday, in what would be Black’s last game as manager, the Rockies secured a victory to improve their record to 7-33. Warren Schaeffer, third base coach, will take over as interim manager for the remainder of the season, while Clint Hurdle, recently appointed as the team’s hitting coach, will be the bench coach.
“While we all share responsibility for how this season has unfolded, these changes are necessary,” Monfort stated. “We will use the remainder of 2025 to improve what we can on the field and evaluate all areas of our operation so that we can turn the page to the next chapter of Rockies baseball.”
Dick Monfort
Comparisons to the White Sox are inevitable. The Rockies’ current pace, after 40 games, puts them on a projection of 28-134, which would be an even worse performance than Chicago’s in 2024, who finished with a record of 41-121.
The Rockies have been outscored by 128 runs, the second-worst run differential after 40 games since 1900, surpassed only by the 2023 Oakland Athletics, with a differential of minus 144. The Athletics, with a 9-31 start in the first 40 games, managed to improve in the final stretch and finished with 50 wins.
The possibility of the Rockies surpassing the White Sox in terms of losses is real, and there are several factors that could influence it.
Key Factors for a Historic Season
- Poor Starting Pitching: The Rockies’ 7.09 ERA after 40 games is the worst for a National League team since 2004. The current rotation, led by Kyle Freeland, German Marquez, and Antonio Senzatela, has not achieved the expected performance.
- Offense in Crisis: The team has a batting average of .219/.286/.360 after 40 games. Although there are players with outstanding performance, the lack of offensive consistency is a serious problem.
- Complicated Schedule: The Rockies’ schedule presents significant challenges. The team faces a division, the NL West, which is shaping up to be one of the most competitive.
The Rockies’ situation is worrying, but the bullpen’s performance could be a determining factor. If they manage to hold the scores in the games they are leading, they could avoid the fate of the White Sox.
A surprising fact is the attendance of 38,423 fans at the game where the Rockies suffered a 21-run defeat. The Rockies’ marketing team deserves recognition.
