THE DEBATE: Is struggling Rockies closer Greg Holland just tired, or is he toast for the season?

With all due respect for outfielder Charlie Blackmon, his 29 home runs and a walk-up song nearly as perfect as his shaggy beard, the real most valuable player of the Rockies in 2017 has been closer Greg Holland. While Holland leads the National League in saves, he has become oh-so-hittable since the middle of July. Is that temporary trouble, or is it a sign of doom for Colorado’s quest for a playoff berth?

Holland has been much better for much longer this season than the opposite. But, Kiz, here’s the kicker: His sample size of struggles is growing. Since the all-star break five weeks ago, over 11L innings in 12 games, his ERA is 7.94, more than doubling his season mark to 3.22. Is it troubling? Absolutely. Does it spell d-o-o-m? Let’s work it out. …

Holland throws strikes. He does not make excuses when surrendering a home run in the ninth inning. And, after blowing a save, he faces the music. But, as Holland himself admits, he’s not executing his pitches with any consistency of late. Coors Field wears a pitcher out. Physically. And emotionally. I don’t think Holland is toast. But he needs a break.

The bullpen produces the most-emailed complaints I get from fans. It does not matter how good or bad they are. For 100 years, that has been true. (Did Doubleday have email? Did they use bullpens then? Never mind.) But here’s the truth: The Rockies’ three best pitchers overall this season are relievers, in order by ERA-plus (park-adjusted): Chris Rusin, Greg Holland and Jake McGee. Is McGee or Rusin better suited to replace Holland in the ninth inning? That would be a hasty, unnecessary change.

It’s always risky to mess with the psyche of a closer. And manager Bud Black believes in Holland. But if the young arms in Colorado’s starting rotation have been well-served by rest, then I think it’s also worth a shot in Holland’s case. The Rockies need him to be lights out in September and October. I say give Holland a brief blow now to clear his head, and let McGee work the ninth inning the next time the Rockies need a save.

At times, we tend to talk about baseball players as if they’re robots. They are, in fact, humans (I can confirm). Your idea of rest is sound, Kiz. Here’s the fallout, though: The Rockies need to win games and win now. The Brewers and Cardinals are creeping up in the wild-card standings. Holland is best suited for the ninth inning. The Rockies just might need to ride that wave to the end. He certainly has earned their trust.