Colorado looking to regain confidence on make-or-break East Coast swing

For the Rockies, digging themselves out of their current rut isn’t a matter of trying harder. It might be a matter of relaxing.

“We probably have put the clamps down a little too hard on ourselves,” center fielder Ian Desmond said. “Things get magnified, and people start forgetting who they are and start trying to be perfect all the time. When all of us are at our best, no one is perfect.”

Manager Bud Black echoed that sentiment as the Rockies begin a 10-game road trip that starts Friday in New York with their season on the line. Colorado has lost 11 of its last 13 games and its starting rotation sports a major league-worst 5.81 ERA.

“When you’re serious and businesslike and hard-working, tension can build up, because you’re trying so hard,” Black said. “That can work against you. That’s a little bit (the case right now) … With the best performances in our sport, there’s got to be a looseness and an easiness and a freeness to it.”

There’s a serious challenge ahead in the Yankees — who sport the American League’s best record — followed by four games at the resurgent Nationals and then three against the Reds, who have played their best at home this year. It lines up for a road trip that could kick the Rockies into the abyss of playoff irrelevancy unless they play better.

To get their confidence back, the Rockies will look to the clubhouse leadership of Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon and Desmond, all of