Black reflects on a young Kershaw
Rival managers Bud Black and Dave Roberts are in agreement: The National League West is the best division in baseball.
After Roberts made the declaration on MLB Network Radio a couple of weeks ago, Black doubled down on the assertion ahead of Tuesday’s second game of the series between the Dodgers and Rockies at Coors Field.
“I know there’s some people who think the NL East is the best, with the Mets and the Braves, and the Phillies had a little run here lately and the Marlins have some good pitching,” Black said. “But overall, I think this division is the best division in baseball.”
Black and outfielder Charlie Blackmon believe both East divisions could rival the NL West, as the American League East features baseball’s best team (the Yankees at 54-20) and three other playoff contenders.
“The AL East might make a case for best division (considering the depth beyond the Yankees), with how the Red Sox are playing, and Toronto and Tampa,” Black pointed out.
“Plus, Baltimore’s playing much better this year than they have in recent years.”
Heading into Tuesday,
Colorado is 12-11 against division opponents this year, but is under .500 in interleague play (6-8) and has struggled mightily against the NL East with an 8-19 mark. The Rockies remain in last place in the division, 14 games behind L.A., and have finished fourth in the West three years running.
Rockies shortstop Jose Iglesias, who has spent nine of the 11 years of his career in the American League, believes the NL West’s arms give it the distinction as baseball’s No. 1 division.
“The pitching is really deep in this division, so I would agree with (Roberts),” Iglesias said.
“That’s not to take credit away from any other division, but there’s just a lot of really good starters and relievers (in the NL West).”
Over the last 10 seasons, the NL West has won three World Series and appeared in two more.
The Giants won in 2012 and 2014, and the Dodgers made the Midsummer Classic in 2017, ’18 and ’20, winning the latter.
Ahead of Clayton Kershaw’s 45th career start against the Rockies on Tuesday, Black flashed back to when he first met Kershaw ahead of a game at Petco Park in 2008.
Black was managing the Padres, and Kershaw was a rookie with the visiting
“I know there’s some people who think the NL East is the best, with the Mets and the Braves, and the Phillies had a little run here lately and the Marlins have some good pitching,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “But overall, I think this division is the best division in baseball.”
Dodgers.
“He was coming out to throw a side and was walking to the bullpen, and looked over at me up on the rail of the dugout and said, ‘Hello, Mr. Black,'” Black recalled. And I said, ‘Hello Clayton, you going to throw your side (session)?’ He goes, ‘Yup, I’m going to go work on my curveball.’
“I told him I had noticed him over the last couple months, and that he had a bright future. I said good luck. And he looked back and said, ‘Thanks, Mr. Black.”
Black said that moment has always stuck with him as Kershaw’s gone on to win three Cy Youngs to highlight a Hall of Fame resume. Kershaw is 24-9 all-time against Colorado, with a 3.32 ERA. That includes an 11-6 mark at Coors Field, where he has a 4.57 ERA in 24 starts.
Lord Stanley comes to Coors
The Rockies announced they are hosting the Avalanche for a pregame ceremony on Wednesday ahead of the Rockies’ series finale against Los Angeles. The Stanley Cup will be there, and the honorary ceremony for the NHL champions begins at 6:21 p.m ahead of the 6:40 p.m. first pitch.