Denver 7’s Troy Renck told “Schlereth & Evans” on Friday that when he speaks with Colorado Rockies followers and fans, he asks them to really think about the question: “When you think of this season, why is it different.”
It’s not a hard answer, Renck said, just different than perhaps what many along the Front Range have experience with the club in the past.
“They’re pitching. It’s really that simple,” Renck said.
Of course, the Rockies perform behind the plate reasonably well most years, Renck said, and though the squad hasn’t all that well in 2017, the “numbers will be there.”
But, Renck said, “the difference is their pitching,” which has been anchored by two unexpected, up-and-coming rookies, Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela.
Despite a losing effort to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, Senzatela is 8-2 in 13 starts with a 3.84 ERA. Freeland, in terms of wins, is just a game back of his fellow rookie at 7-3 but ahead with a 3.34 ERA.
Combined, the duo has 15 wins through the Rockies first 65 games of 2017, which ESPN’s “Elias Says” blog indicates is the first time a major league team in 80 years to get seven or more wins from two rookie pitchers in that time frame. Lou Fette (9 wins) and Jim Turner (7 wins) did so in 1937 for the Boston Bees.
Stacked up against the rest of the National League, Senzatela is tied for the most wins with Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw — with Freeland tied with five others a game back of the trio — and both among the top 30 in both ERA and WHIP.
So when it comes to July’s All-Star Game in Miami, Renck believes at least Senzatela has a chance to make the squad alongside veteran closer Greg Holland.
“Being young doesn’t exactly benefit him in those conversations. And veterans tend to get a little lean on. But Joe Maddon, if I’m Bud Black I’m in his ear, saying, ‘Hey, don’t forget about my guys,’” Renck said.
“It won’t be both Freeland and Senzatela. It’s a one or the other conversation in terms of the All-Star Game. But I think Senzatela is absolutely an All-Star.”
And both Senzatela and Freeland rank at the top of their peer group of pitchers in the MLB, with the two ranking No. 1 and No. 2 in wins and being among the top 7 pitchers in ERA.
But can the two crack the list of legitimate National League Rookie of the Year candidates? Denver Post Rockies beat writer Patrick Saunders told “The Drive” on Thursday they should be “in the running.”
“The people who always penalize the Rockies for their offense at Coors Field, well I think they should turn around and say, ‘Listen, here’s a rookie pitcher who’s thrived and won making his home ballpark at Coors Field,” Saunders said, making the case for Senzatela though he it could be interchangeable with Freeland.
“If they’re going to use that argument against Rockies hitters, well, then they should turn it on its head and say, ‘Listen, let’s reward this young guy for surviving all that and turning in a terrific season as a rookie.’ So, my argument is he should be in the running.”
After a dominant month of April, where he went 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA and 1.000 WHIP, Senzatela took home Rookie of the Month honors.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.
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