Evans: The Colorado Rockies are poised to make history

Sep 6, 2018, 11:32 AM

Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies hits a home run off a pitch from Andrew Suarez #59 of the San Francisco Giants in the first inning on September 5, 2018 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Here’s some hot Colorado Rockies takes as they barrel toward their first ever National League West crown:

» Forget about Trevor Story as the Rockies MVP.

It’s time to go big and tout Trevor Story as the N.L. MVP.

Why not?

Fresh off his three-home run bonanza against the San Francisco Giants, Story is top-10 in batting average, top-3 in home runs, top-3 in RBIs, and ranked best in every major defensive category.

Oh yeah, and he’s only a handful of steals away from becoming the first 30-30 (home runs/steals) guy since Mike Trout and Ryan Braun way back in 2012.

» I’ll lose it if playing at Coors Field is held against Story.

OK then, pompous East Coast voter, then I assume you’ll be giving Kyle Freeland the N.L. Cy Young Award, seeing as how darn impossible it is to pitch at Coors Field?

» While we’re talking about league leaders, did you notice Wade Davis leads the N.L. in saves?

As rocky as his season has been, he’s peaking at the right time. In his last 10 appearances, he has 10 innings pitched, three hits, zero runs, 13 strikeouts, two walks, and is six-for-six in save opportunities.

» Think about where we were a year ago.

Carlos Gonzalez was finishing up a contract paying him $20 million a year. Everyone knew he was gone. Too rich to bring him back.

But then, collusion — er, a “market correction” — happened during the offseason, and vets like Cargo saw their values plummet to the point where he became a “why not?” no-brainer for the Rockies to bring him back. And he’s responded with a really solid season.

His two-strike, throw-the-hands-at-the-ball, serve-it-in-to-left-center hit for a bases-clearing triple to beat the Giants the other night was a thing of beauty.

» One game, winner take all, who you want on the mound — Kyle Freeland or German Marquez?

Marquez has been downright filthy of late with 24 strikeouts in his last two starts. His “stuff” is lethal.

But Freeland has that, “I’m pissed off, and I don’t care how I do it, but I’m going to find a way to beat you,” bulldog, dragon slayer type of demeanor.

I would go with Freeland.

» By the way, how cool is it to even have that discussion?

Have the Rockies ever had two options to choose between like Freeland and Marquez?

» Remember all of this is happening with Nolan Arenado slumping and Charlie Blackmon and D.J. LeMahieu having off years.

Imagine if they all get hot.

» N.L. West title or bust. And I think it’s going to happen.