Rockies 2018 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2018 Colorado Rockies predictions? With Spring Training winding down the Colorado Rockies are getting ready for another summer of baseball in the Mile High City.
MLB Rockies Predictions & Handicapping Insight
Coming off a wild card berth last season, the Rockies will be aiming to repeat as a playoff contender led by a couple of MVP candidates in their lineup and a young pitching staff that they hope will continue to grow like they did last season.
2018 MLB Team Previews – Colorado Rockies
- National League West +600
- National League +1500
- World Series +3300
Key Additions:
- Wade Davis
- Bryan Shaw
- Chris Iannetta
Davis and Shaw were two of the better relievers in baseball last season and they will join up with Jake McGee and Adam Ottavino to form a very strong bullpen for the Rockies.
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Iannetta should slide in as the starting catcher but will most importantly provide a veteran presence behind the plate for the young Rockies pitching staff.
Key Losses:
- SP Tyler Chatwood
Chatwood is the only really influential loss for the Rockies as the loss of Jonathan Lucroy behind the plate shouldn’t loom largely as he underwhelmed during his stint in Colorado. Chatwood left for the Cubs in free agency but the Rockies seem to feel comfortable with their young core of pitchers.
Rockies Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- CF Charlie Blackmon
- 2B DJ LeMahieu
- RF Carlos Gonzalez
- 3B Nolan Arenado
- LF Gerardo Parra
- SS Trevor Story
- 1B Ryan McMahon
- C Chris Iannetta
The first four in the Rockies order can line up against any top four in baseball and have an argument as being the best. Blackmon and Arenado are MVP candidates and LeMahieu is a hitting machine.
CarGo came back on a cheap deal after a disappointing season last season but he is still a capable hitter and will see great pitches if Arenado ends up hitting behind him.
It will either be McMahon or Ian Desmond at first to start the season but McMahon should end up earning the starting spot at some point. The Rockies will score plenty of runs with this group.
Rockies Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- RH Jon Gray
- RH Chad Bettis
- LH Tyler Anderson
- RH German Marquez
- LH Kyle Freeland
Gray was one of the better starting pitchers in baseball in the second half of last season so the Rockies feel good about the young right hander as their ace.
Marquez also had a very strong second half so Colorado is definitely hoping he continues to take steps forward. The average age of the five starters is 26 so they are certainly young but the talent is also there.
There may be some struggles at times but they are capable big league pitchers and should mesh with a strong bullpen to be a formidable pitching group.
Rockies Predictions: Projected Closer:
- RH Wade Davis
Davis came over as a free agent from the Cubs for big money so the expectations will be high for him.
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He is joined by a handful of great arms in the back of the bullpen in Shaw, McGee, Ottavino, and even Chris Rusin.
2018 Colorado Rockies Prediction:
In a division that sent three teams to the playoffs last season, the competition is sure to be tough this season.
In addition, the Giants underperformed mightily and made some big moves during the offseason. The Padres also have a load of young talent that will be pesky as the season progresses.
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The reality for Colorado though is they addressed their concerns in the bullpen and have one of the stronger lineups in the league. Their rotation is young but talented so the ceiling for this team is quite high.
I would also expect them to be in the mix before the trade deadline if they have a strong start to the season. Expect the Rockies back in the playoffs and potentially giving the Dodgers a run for the NL West title.
What do you think of our 2018 Colorado Rockies predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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