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NL Wild Card Game 2017: 5 reasons Rockies will win

By Joshua Sadlock

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field on September 27, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field on September 27, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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The Colorado Rockies are looking for their first playoff win since 2009 to make it past the NL Wild Card Game on Wednesday night.

For the first time since the 2009 season, the Colorado Rockies are in the NL playoffs, but it could be a short stay if they are unable to get past the rival Arizona Diamondbacks. It was not a pretty year for Colorado in their season series with Arizona as they were beaten 11-8 and outscored by over 30 runs.

Anything can happen when the Rockies are involved — you know that already if you watched their run to the World Series in 2007. With a deep and powerful lineup, the Rockies have the potential to take over a game with an early explosion of offense. The pitching has also come a long way since the early days of the franchise where all the Rockies could do was hope to put up eight runs a game and hold on for dear life.

The Rockies very nearly blew this year’s playoff spot by sleepwalking through the months of June, July and August playing .500 baseball. They were able to turn it on late and edge out the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals for the NL’s final playoff spot. Even with their flaws and struggles on the road — particularly at Arizona’s Chase Field — the Rockies can win their big game on Wednesday night. Here are the five biggest reasons the Rockies will be the team making a date with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 20: Jonathan Lucroy #21 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the fifth inning at AT&T Park on September 20, 2017 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 20: Jonathan Lucroy #21 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the fifth inning at AT&T Park on September 20, 2017 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

5. Jonathan Lucroy’s resurgence continues

Much like right fielder Carlos Gonzalez, who we will touch on later, All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy was having a forgettable season heading into free agency up until the month of August. The Texas Rangers were forced to cut their losses with a player they had given up elite prospect Lewis Brinson to acquire last year at the deadline. Lucroy hit .242/.297/.338 in 77 games with Texas this season before being moved.

With the Rockies, Lucroy was able to begin hitting for power and driving the ball again after a prolonged slump. In his 46 games with Colorado, the two-time All-Star hit .310/.429/.437 with six doubles and two home runs. While his power is still down from where it was in 2016, Lucroy is at least hitting like an All-Star again. The Rockies will need more of the same from him to take down the Diamondbacks.

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