The Rockies can’t catch a break, as MadBum looks like MadBum again
May 7, 2019, 10:37 AM
After a day off on Monday, the Rockies open a three-game set against the Giants tonight at Coors Field. Still looking to dig their way out of the 3-12 start to the season that put them at the bottom of the NL West standings, winning a home series against a division rival would be a big step forward for Colorado.
At first glance, the opener doesn’t look very hopeful, however, as the pitching match-up clearly favors San Francisco. On the hill for the Giants will be Madison Bumgarner, a four-time All-Star and former World Series MVP. Meanwhile, the Rockies will have Antonio Senzatela on the mound, a young and unproven pitcher.
But in some circles, this is being positioned as an advantage for Colorado. As crazy as it sounds, the early 2019 stats give the edge to Senzatela over Bumgarner. Stats, as is often the case, don’t tell the whole story, however.
Yes, Bumgarner is only 1-4 on the season, with a 3.92 ERA. And sure, Senzatela is 5-0 during his career against the Giants. Both of those numbers are reason for hope tonight.
But that might be the false variety. The most recent history is what should worry the Rockies tonight.
In his last outing, which came last Wednesday against the Dodgers, Bumgarner looked more like himself. On that night, MadBum looked like MadBum.
He didn’t get the decision, as the Giants got the 2-1 win with a walk-off run in the bottom of the ninth, but he demonstrated dominant stuff. Across six innings, Bumgarner scattered four hits, gave up just a single run and struck out eight Dodgers. In other words, he was once again dazzling on the mound.
That doesn’t bode well for a Rockies lineup that has historically struggled against the Giants ace. Nolan Arenado (lifetime .238), Trevor Story (.231) and Ian Desmond (.143) have all been well below average in their careers against Bumgarner. Only Charlie Blackmon (.400) has had any sustained success against him.
So if the Rockies are going to start the series against the Giants on a good note, it won’t be because they caught a break; they’ll have to beat MadBum when he’s throwing like MadBum.
