Manager Bud Black is never going to come right out and say it, of course, but the most pleasant early-season surprise for the Rockies has been the performance of their bullpen.
Adam Ottavino, last season’s set-up man extraordinaire, is now pitching for the Yankees. Left-handers Jake McGee and Chris Rusin, despite poor 2018 seasons, were both expected to be important cogs in the machine, but they remain on the injured list. And yet the Rockies entered Friday night’s game against Arizona with a 3.06 bullpen ERA since April 8, which ranks fourth in the National League over that span.