The Rockies could have used a better kicker for that third extra point.

In a shocking result Wednesday, Colorado crushed the Boston Red Sox 20-7, improving to 38-64 and briefly softening the effects of an otherwise disappointing season. Despite scoring in bushels against Boston, however, Colorado’s weekday victory may be best remembered for extracurricular activities after the top of the fourth inning.

On the way back to the dugout after escaping a jam on a flyout by Reese McGuire, Rockies pitcher Cal Quantrill screamed and pumped his fist. Though Quantrill didn’t seem to be directing it at anyone, he crossed paths with McGuire on the way to first base.

McGuire took issue with Quantrill’s celebration under the assumption that it was done to taunt him. The two began a heated discussion, during which Quantrill escalated the incident by mentioning a 2020 incident in which McGuire was arrested for pleasuring himself in his car.

Both benches cleared as the two continued to exchange words. Rockies catcher Jacob Stallings, who used to be teammates with McGuire, did much of the work to defuse the situation.

“I know Reese from our Pirates days and I knew Cal wasn’t yelling at Reese initially,” Stallings said after the game, according to ESPN. “I just wanted to calm things down before anything got too crazy.”

Quantrill went on to throw six innings, allowing just two runs on six hits. Meanwhile, Colorado’s offense exploded behind him, scoring 13 runs in the first four innings and tacking on another six in the sixth inning alone.

It was a stunning performance in the high altitude for Colorado and no one was more stunned than Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta. The 31-year-old  right-hander had a rough month of June but pitched fairly well in July going into his start against the Rockies. He did not get through the third inning Wednesday, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits. His ERA ballooned from 3.87 to 4.50.

The game does little to affect either team, as the Red Sox remain a fringe contender with several roster questions to answer at the trade deadline while the Rockies try to make the best of a long-lost season. The game will hold some historical significance, however, as it ties the Rockies’ franchise record for runs scored in a single game.

Opening Day of Major League Baseball will be here in a matter of days. Now is a good time to look at each team’s prognosis heading into the 2021 season after the 60-game 2020 abbreviated season.

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The Colorado Rockies made the postseason in 2017 and 2018. However, they missed the mark in 2019 and 2020 as they fell fourth in the National League West Division both years with a combined 97-125 record. Colorado has made it to the playoffs five times in the team’s 28-year history and has only gone to the World Series once in 2007 and got swept by the Boston Red Sox. In 2020, the Rockies finished with the second-worst ERA in baseball, coming in at 5.59 and ranked 22nd in homers with a total of 63 dingers. As their rebuild progresses, the Rockies could show some improvement in 2021.

Here are Colorado’s projected starters.

Colorado Rockies Projected Batting Order:

1. OF Raimel Tapia
2. SS Trevor Story
3. OF Charlie Blackmon
4. 1B C.J. Cron
5. 3B Brendan Rodgers 
6. 1B Ryan McMahon
7. C Dom Nunez
8. 2B Garrett Hampson
9. Pitcher

Colorado Rockies Projected Pitching Staff:

• SP1 German Marquez 
• SP2 Jon Gray
• SP3 Kyle Freeland
• SP4 Antonio Senzatela 
• SP5 Austin Gomber 
• CL Daniel Bard

Colorado Rockies Team Outlook:

The Colorado Rockies made moves over the course of the offseason that directly impacted the team looking towards 2021. For starters, Colorado gave away third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals. It received starter Austin Gomber, infielders Mateo Gil and Elehuris Montero, and relievers, Tony Locey and Jake Sommers. They also picked up over $50 million of Arenado’s contract.

The Rockies lost outfielders David Dahl and Matt Kemp, along with reliever Wade Davis via free-agency. Their only additions were those of reliever Robert Stephenson and the signing of first baseman C.J. Cron. Regarding their pitching, Colorado’s starting rotation looks the same as it has for the past few seasons, with all of the starters having ups and downs. While the bullpen has power from reliever Daniel Bard, they still lack star power and do not seem competitive.

Regarding Colorado’s offense, Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon are the team’s superstars, while there is future upside from outfielder Sam Hillard and second baseman Brendan Rodgers. From the looks of it, the Rockies are in rebuild mode and will not likely make a trip to the postseason in 2021.

Colorado Rockies Schedule:

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