KISZLA VS. SAUNDERS: Will Ryan McMahon or David Dahl have more impact on the Rockies’ playoff push?
Kiszla vs. Saunders
Kiz: Everyone knows we live in a Broncos town. And that’s cool. It leads me to this question: Which rising star in Denver enjoyed the most remarkable last seven days? It had to be quarterback Chad Kelly. Right? Nope. It was Ryan McMahon, whose late-inning heroics against the Los Angeles Dodgers saved a Rockies season that was teetering on the brink. How big a role will McMahon and David Dahl play in Colorado’s quest for a playoff berth? Saunders: A Broncos town? Really? Just because local sports-talk radio spends 95 percent of its time discussing the Broncos’ third-string tight end — in May? I digress. I think both players will be major contributors over the final 44 games. There is no doubt that McMahon provided the offense with an infusion of energy when needed most, hitting .324 in 15 games (eight starts) since being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. Kiz: Pardon me for this, Rockies fans. But because this is a football town, I want to repeat some wisdom former Broncos great Champ Bailey shared with me long ago. Bailey believes the primary way a team improves during the course of any given season is from the steady maturation and increasing contributions of its young players. I think that might apply to these Rockies, don’t you? Dahl is 24 years old; McMahon is 23. Can we count on them to play significant roles down the stretch? Saunders: They don’t call him Champ for nothing. Wise man. I think McMahon, in particular, has turned a corner. He’s made adjustments to his swing and is becoming the aggressive, yet smarter, hitter the Rockies envisioned. There is no question in my mind that both will get significant time down the stretch because of their versatility. Dahl has the ability to play all three outfield spots, and McMahon can play first, second or third. The Rockies now have quality depth. Kiz: Let’s get down to the real nitty-gritty. How much will manager Bud Black trust Dahl and McMahon to produce in critical, tense moments? Will Black take away opportunities from veterans Gerardo Parra and Ian Desmond in order to give regular at-bats to McMahon and Dahl? I’ve been bullish on McMahon since spring training. It took him time to get his act together, but I now think McMahon should be the primary first baseman down the stretch. He could provide the energy jolt this offense needs. Saunders: Considering that Desmond is batting .150 (6-for-40), with 11 strikeouts and a .209 on-base percentage in August, I hope Black will play the hot hand. Yet Black tends to trust veterans, and he’s backed up Desmond all season, through all of Desmond’s ups and downs. I think McMahon is actually better with the glove at first base than Desmond is, despite Desmond’s improvement. But I still think Desmond will remain the Rockies’ primary first baseman because Black believes in him — a lot more than we do.