The Colorado Rockies are not expected to go far in 2023.
Even after making some key pitching additions, they aren’t getting much respect.
However, that doesn’t seem to be bothering them, and it isn’t a sentiment that they agree with.
Recently, the team added veteran left-handers Brent Suter and Brad Hand to bolster their bullpen and go alongside right-hander Daniel Bard, who has revitalized his career.
Bard himself, has high expectations for 2023.
On Monday, he got a chance to speak with MLB Network analysts Dan Plesac and Greg Amsinger, and he made a rather bold claim, going as far as to say that if the Rockies have the lead after six innings, they’re going to be tough to beat.
“I think it’s a good mix. If you give us the lead after six innings, it’ll be pretty tough.”
Daniel Bard talks about building on a phenomenal season last year and the strength of the @Rockies bullpen.#MLBTonight | @Plesac19 | #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/HVJTjbjcoc
—MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 7, 2023
While preseason predictions are obviously not very kind to the Rockies as of now, the team does not seem to be worried about that.
And the trio of Dinelson Lamet, Hand, and Bard should be a tough combination for opposing teams to deal with late in games.
Despite pitching at Coors Field, Bard enjoyed a bounce-back season in 2022, posting a 1.79 ERA in 60.1 innings of work and averaging 10.3 strikeouts.
He also saved 34 games.
Bard says that he feels good headed into the 2023 season and believes that he can continue to execute at a ballpark that isn’t always friendly to pitchers.
Bard was then asked about the back end of the bullpen.
The right-hander praised Lamet and Hand and also talked about right-handers Tyler Kinley and Pierce Johnson, expressing his belief in their abilities as they look to have a stronger bullpen.
NEXT:
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