Down the stretch
September can make or break a baseball team. In their previous 24 seasons, the Rockies reached the playoffs just three times — and they made it by hunkering down in September:
1995
To star tse ptember: 60-56, one game back
They went: 16-11
Finished: 77-67, one game back Postseason: Lost NLDS to the Braves 3–1
How itu nfolded: The Rockies started September just a half game ahead of the Phillies for the lone wild-card playoff berth in the National League. They held on for the club’s first postseason appearance.
2007
To star tse ptember: 69-65, four games back
They went: 20-8
Finished: 90-73, half game back
Postseason: Lost World Series to the Red Sox 4-0
How itu nfolded: To start September, the Rockies were an afterthought. But they won 21of-22 into the postseason to kick off Rocktober, which included series sweeps of Philadelphia and Arizona.
2009
To star tse ptember: 72-59, two games back
They went: 18-9
Finished: 92-70, three games back Postseason: Lost NLDS to the Phillies 3–1
How itu nfolded: On paper, this was the best team in Rockies history. They were 13 games over .500 to start September, but 51/2 behind the Dodgers. They nearly caught L.A. before fading in the postseason.
2010
To star tse ptember: 69-62, seven games back
They went: 14-17
Finished: 83-79, nine games back
Postseason: Finished third in the West and eight games out of the wild card
How itu nfolded: The Rockies were in prime position to win their first division title. But a disastrous finish included an eight-game losing streak and 13 losses in their last 14 games.
2017
To star tse ptember: 72-61, 191/2 games back
How they got here: Still the second-best record in club history to start September, the Rockies are nowhere near the runaway Dodgers. And they were 31/2 behind Arizona for the top wild-card playoff berth. But after MLB expanded the postseason to two wild cards in 2012, the Rockies are in position for the playoffs.