Evans: 7 thoughts on the Rockies and why the revival is for real

Observations of the second-best start in Colorado Rockies history:

1. It was very encouraging …

… to see the way the Rockies handled its first bump in the road when they lost three in a row to the Washington Nationals — giving up double-digit runs in each defeat.

Since then, they’ve won three series in a row and gone 6-3.

2. Manager Bud Black continues to push almost all of the right buttons.

Tyler Anderson and Tyler Chatwood had big bounce-back starts over the weekend, which encouraged me the most about Black as the manager.

As a former pitcher, he’s able to relate with pitchers aware of their numbers, aware of their ERAs.

He can reassure these guys that they’re still good pitchers, even if they have a rough start or two and their numbers may not look great.

3. The one button Black isn’t pushing right is his handling of Carlos Gonzalez.

He can’t allow Cargo to retain his regular spot in the lineup. He certainly can’t allow him to continue to bat clean-up and drag down the whole lineup with his below-the-Mendoza-Line batting average.

The Rockies have too much depth. Cargo shouldn’t be allowed to play just because of his longevity or how much he’s getting paid.

If he is going to play, then drop him in the order and bat him sixth so he doesn’t feel as much pressure to deliver.

4. The career numbers for Mark Reynolds suggest some sort of market correction, …

… but this is a guy who hit a solid .282 and 24 home runs with Colorado last season.

Plus, he does have a stretch in Arizona and Baltimore where he blasted 28, 30, 27, and 26 home runs on his resume.

So, there’s no reason why this torrid start of his has to all of a sudden turn south.

5. Charlie Blackmon is the best lead-off hitter in baseball.

He does it all. He hits for average and power and can run. He plays defense. He’s a core/attitude type player.

And he’s still not eligible for free agency until after next year, when he’ll be 32 years old. He’ll be due a big payday, even at that age.

Will the Rockies be willing to pay it? I’m skeptical.

6. Have you noticed how Colorado keeps playing winning baseball …

… but the dialogue surrounding the pitching has changed?

The lights-out bullpen talk has given way to a nice run by the starters.

Antonio Senzatela and Kyle Freeland have been rotation savers, and the recent starts by Anderson and Chatwood have this rotation on a nice roll.

If the starters and bullpen can keep complementing each other, it’s going to be a fun summer.

7. The Chicago Cubs are in town.

And with the club comes its horde of fans that guaranteed to become more obnoxious the more the Cubbies win.

I kind of like it.

The Rockies crowd is a good crowd that becomes great when they are put on the defensive by a raucous visiting fan base — whether it be the Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, or Boston Red Sox.

Colorado fans feel the need to represent, and it ends up being a fun day/night at Coors Field.

Especially when the Rockies are pretty good. Which they are. Right now.