Padres News: The Padres Rotation Against The Rest of the NL West

 The Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies will always have a problem with starting pitching, and there is no difference this coming season. The rotation consists of Jorge De La Rosa, Jhoulys Chacin, Jordan Lyles, Tyler Matzek and Kyle Kendrick. Absolutely nothing outstanding and impressive here at all. With that rotation, that is a tough year, no matter how you slice it. The lefty De La Rosa is a gritty pitcher, but is more like a number three starter than an ace of the staff. He received an extension this past September in the amount of two-years and $25 million dollars. Well-deserved as he started 32 games and won 14 of those. A 4.10 earned run average is pretty solid when you throw half your games at Coors Field. He is also slightly an injury risk.

Chacin is penciled in as the number two starter, but was injured last season and is certainly no given to retain his form. Lyles and Matzek give the Rockies youth and uncertainty. Both have shown flashes of brilliance, but have also been very hittable at times. Just like most young Rockies pitchers. The fifth spot is probably going to fall to Kyle Kendrick.

The journeyman right-hander started 32 games for the Philadelphia Phillies last season, with a 4.61 earned run average and a 10-13 record. The Padres’ staff just completely blows the doors off the Rockies’ staff. James Shields, Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross and even Ian Kennedy would easily be the #1 starter on the Rockies’ staff. There really is no comparison, but the Rockies are a team built with offense in mind, not pitching.

They are built to win games with the three-run homer, not with complete game shut-outs. This year’s Padres’ team can rival the Rockies offensively and that’s why fans are going crazy for Padres baseball.