Warren Schaeffer is “looking for more battle” from Rockies as Yankees come to town

The Colorado Rockies struck out 35 times in the four game sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies, but interim manager Warren Schaeffer wants his team to keep battling when down in the count

BY TRENT FINNEGAN

May 23, 2025, 9:26 AM Updated: 9:28 am

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The Colorado Rockies and interim manager Warren Schaeffer are looking for any kind of answer for their struggles that have slotted them in as the worst team in the modern era of Major League Baseball through 50 games, and the second worst team in the history of the league. After being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies, the Rockies now have a date with the New York Yankees over the weekend at Coors Field.

The Yankees are 30-19, the second best record in the American League. Meanwhile, Colorado stands at 8-42. No further explanation needed.

After the Rockies offense put up a goose egg against Philadelphia on Thursday, Schaeffer emphasized what he wants to see from his team’s offense with the Bronx Bombers coming to town.

“For me, I’m looking for more battle, and I know the results weren’t there today … We gave ourselves opportunities, but we just didn’t cash in,” Schaeffer said. “I saw battle with bats from [Tovar] today going 0-2 to 3-2. Doyle, huge walk battling from 1-2 … There was a lot of guys battling with two strikes today, and for me that’s a good step forward. Do we need to cash in? Absolutely.”

The Rockies only had eight strikeouts as a team on Thursday, down from their season average of 10 per game. The problem with these guys is that they’re not getting ahead of the count when in the batters box, and instantly put themselves in a two-strike hole. It’s great that Schaeffer wants to see his guys battling when they’re down, but the focus should be centered around not getting down so fast in every at bat.

“Early in the count, in zone, putting the ball in play hard, more often. Not getting to two strikes, and I think we’re seeing progress with that. I think that we’re seeing progress with that … The hitting coaches, [Jordan Pacheco] and Nic [Wilson], are doing a fantastic job,” Schaeffer said.

The Rockies struggled to get ahead in the count in all four games against Philadelphia as the Phillies have the most strikeouts by any pitching staff in the league. With the Yankees coming to town starting on Friday evening, it won’t get any easier, as New York ranks just behind the Phillies with the second-most strikeouts in the league.

First pitch of the three game series against the Yankees is slated for 6:40 p.m. MDT from Coors Field on Friday night, with Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch beforehand.