But after enduring a tumultuous start and a managerial change just 46 games in, the Rockies went on a tear as their season culminated with champagne, Coors beer, a franchise-record 92 wins and a wild-card berth. Their postseason begins Wednesday against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Here is what you should know about the Rockies:
1 The Rockies started the season a paltry 18-28, prompting general manager Dan O'Dowd to replace Clint Hurdle with Jim Tracy. The move paid immediate dividends as the team rallied around its new skipper. Colorado went an astounding 74-42 under Tracy, becoming the first team in major league history to go from 10 games under .500 to at least 20 games over, and making him the favorite to be named NL Manager of the Year.
2In their first 46 games under Hurdle, the Rockies hit .249 as a team, scored 4.9 runs per game and had a 4.93 team ERA. But once Tracy took over, those numbers dramatically improved to .265, 5.0 and 3.95 in the next 116.
3The Rockies will enter the postseason as one of baseball's hottest teams. Colorado finished out the year 20-11 (.645) in its last 31 games and nearly caught the Los Angeles Dodgers in the race for the NL West title.
4On paper, the Rockies' starting rotation doesn't exactly blow you away. However, much to the surprise of experts and fans alike, all five of their starters totaled double-digit wins, led by journeyman Jorge De La Rosa with 16.
5Veteran righthander Aaron Cook was projected as the staff's No. 1 pitcher. But coming off a career-high 16-win season in 2008, the 30-year-old had a pedestrian 11 victories and 4.16 ERA in 2009. Fortunately for the Rockies, he has been pitching well since coming off a recent monthlong stint on the disabled list. Cook was 1-0 and gave up just one run over 13 innings in his final two starts of the season.
