Huston, we have a problem

I spent this entire baseball season analyzing a team that I have loved ever since their inception. I tried to analyze this team as an impartial viewer because I didn’t want my bias or “homerism” to get in the way. As you know, I didn’t dissect the Phillies-Rockies match-up at all. I wanted to step back and enjoy the NLDS as a fan, not a blogger.

I had the pleasure to be part of the first Rocktober back in 2007. I was at the play-in game where Matt Holliday slid into home on his chin. I saw the Rockies sweep the Phillies in the NLDS. I also saw the Rox finish off the Diamondbacks in the NLCS to advance to their first World Series in team history. And finally, I witnessed the Boston Red Sox celebrate on our own field at 20th and Blake.

There was nothing like the first Rocktober. So, I wanted to enjoy these playoffs as a fan again and report back after the series ended. What I missed this season was the emotion you experience as a fan. Covering the Rockies this season was amazing but I never let my emotions cloud my judgment. However, all of that emotion rushed back to me for the NLDS. It was a rollercoaster ride that ended last night in the blistering cold. It hurt to see my team lose. But as I sat in an empty Coors Field last night, I realized this was an amazing season and how much I truly love baseball.

After a split in Philadelphia, the Rockies returned to Denver with the momentum. However, in baseball, momentum is the next day’s pitcher. What led to the Rockies demise in Denver? Many factors will be covered below.

1. The weather. When I mean the weather, I don’t mean the temperature. I mean the weather factored into the MLB postponing the third game of the series. This had an effect on the Rockies because it allowed the Phillies to pitch J.A. Happ and Cliff Lee in game three and four. Pedro Martinez was supposed to start game three and the Rockies probably wouldn’t have seen Lee again until game five. So, the Rockies had to face four straight lefty starters instead. With the Rockies line-up heavily tilting towards the left side of the plate, it allowed the Phillies to take advantage of their match-ups.

2. Clutch hits. Colorado had many opportunities to put each of the games out of reach but they never could come up with that big hit. In game three, Carlos Gonzalez and Garrett Atkins both came through with big hits. However, the Rockies had many other opportunities in those games. The Rockies finished with 10 hits and 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position. In game four, the Rockies had a big inning in the eighth but their bats were silent the rest of the night. Colorado was 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. To win this playoff series, the Rockies had to do better than 4-for-21 with runners in scoring position at the friendly confines of Coors Field.

3. Walks. The Phillies are a good enough team to win by hitting the ball. When you give them a free pass, they are going to take advantage of it. The Rockies walked a total of 14 batters in the two games in Denver and scored four runs off those walks. The biggest problem with the walks was it extended innings and increased pitch counts. The Phillies batters were very patient with the Rockies pitching staff.

4. The closer. Huston Street converted 35-of-37 save opportunities during the season. However, in the two games he pitched in Denver, he gave up the winning runs in the ninth in both games. He threw a combined 1.2 innings on Sunday and Monday and allowed four runs on five hits. He also walked two batters. His inability to get out of the innings hurt him and the Rockies chance of continuing on in the playoffs.

While Street’s misfortunes really hurt, the Rockies had their chances. The umpires weren’t perfect but neither were the Rockies. They couldn’t get a clutch hit when they needed it and they seemed to press too much in important situations. The Rockies have a lot of young talent and their inexperience showed during this series. However, the experience that they gained this season should help them down the road. This team never lost their confidence but now they can now build on the momentum of this season and come out next year and show the league that they are true contenders.

Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Carlos Gonzalez, Cliff Lee, Colorado Rockies, Coors Field, Garrett Atkins, Huston Street, J.A. Happ, Matt Holliday, Pedro Martinez, Philadelphia Phillies