Can the Rockies make some noise during MLB’s 60-game sprint?

The Rockies are facing the toughest challenge in franchise history, as the MLB restructured the 2020 season from a 162-game marathon to a 60-game sprint. Managers for ball clubs will have to be creative on how to use their position players, starting pitchers and utilize the new designated hitter rule implemented for the first time ever in the national league.

The Rockies raised some excitement levels for fans from the major let down season in 2019 by releasing veteran relief pitchers Brain Shaw and Jake McGee, as well as signing former Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp. Shaw had an ERA of 5.65 and McGee had a 4.79 ERA with their stints with the Rockies. After reaching the playoffs in 2017 and 2018, the team finished last year with a record of 71-91, good enough to finish fourth in the National League West.

Looking to rebound for the 2020 season, Rockies manager Bud Black announced Monday that Colorado’s ace, German Marquez, will get the start in the season opener tonight against the Rangers, as they will christen the new Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Marquez will square off against the strong right hander Lance Lynn, who has a career ERA of 3.59.

The biggest threat to the Rockies this year is the health of the players, which goes beyond the coronavirus. The team’s No. 1 prospect, rookie and Albuquerque Isotopes slugger Brendan Rodgers got called up last year but suffered a shoulder injury that halted his season with the team. There are high expectations with Rodgers and the Rockies front office couldn’t see his true potential due to injury.

Outfielder David Dahl also has an injury history never being able to finish an entire season. Dahl is another standout and when healthy is a dangerous left-handed hitter that could dangerous for the wild, wild NL West.

Starting the season as questionable is relief pitcher and debatably the teams MVP last year was Scott Oberg, who is currently dealing with a back injury. Oberg took over the closing position after Wade Davis struggled to seal wins for the Rockies and was a true anchor in relief for the struggling team.

Another player to watch for this season will be Charlie Blackmon. It’ll be interesting to see how how Bud Black will utilize the All-Star outfielder with the new designated hitter rule for the National League. Blackmon has struggled moving from centerfield to right field defensively and with Raimel Tapia, Sam Hilliard and Matt Kemp in the mix for starting in outfield after Ian Desmond announced he was not playing the 2020 season, Blackmon could have DH next to his name on the lineup card.

Ryan McMahon is another name to watch not because he has two walk-off home runs against the juggernaut Dodgers back-to-back nights two years ago, but because he could finally fill the vacancy at first base since Todd Helton retired. Currently, Daniel Murphy occupies the position, but he has had his shares of errors defensively at the position. This year should tell a lot about his bright young career him anchoring the right side of the infield playing second base and potentially first base.

During a normal MLB season, you can safely say if your team wins 90 games, you should be a lock for the playoffs. But with this adjusted season, anything can happen.

The Nationals started last year 19-31, but finished second in the NL East, won 93 games and beat the Astros in the World Series. With only 60 games on the schedule, there is no room for error and no one knows what the magical win number is to get the Rockies into the playoffs. Expect a lot of creativity on how managers exploit their players’ strengths and shadow their weaknesses.