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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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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 30: Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez #5 waves to the fans as he came out of the game in the 6th inning during the game against the los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field September 30, 2017. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 30: Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez #5 waves to the fans as he came out of the game in the 6th inning during the game against the los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field September 30, 2017. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

2. CarGo has it figured out again

Most of the 2017 season was an unmitigated disaster for pending free agent outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. His final line on season rested at .262/.339/.423 with 14 home runs and 57 RBI is the worst he has ever turned in for a full, healthy season. His efforts were worth an unsightly -0.2 WAR.

It took a major spurt over the final two months of the year to get CarGo’s numbers to look even remotely respectable. On August 1, he was hitting .228/.301/.339 with 16 doubles, six home runs and 26 RBI in 86 games. He might not have even been a starter in the Wild Card Game at that time. Fortunately for Gonzalez and the Rockies, his bat came to life over the final two months of the year.

Gonzalez ended the season by hitting .325/.407/.583 over his final 50 games with 18 doubles, eight home runs and 31 RBI. This is the best version of Gonzalez, and the Rockies must have more of it in the playoffs to have a chance.

CarGo did not yet play for the Rockies when they made their epic run to the World Series in 2007. He was around, however, for the 2009 trip to the playoffs and did not disappoint. Gonzalez hit .588/.632/.882 in the NLDS and was the best player on the field. He has always found a way to show up in the biggest moments during his long career with the Rockies.

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