Rockies Manager Put On Watch Amid Team's Awful Start
Notably, the Pittsburgh Pirates relieved Derek Shelton of his managerial duties on Thursday. The move signifies the first fired skipper of the 2025 campaign, but are more on the horizon?
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Considering the Rockies' current six-game losing streak (and counting), one can't help but wonder if a change in brass is also upcoming in Denver.
Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black (10) in the dugout at Coors Field.Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
That means all eyes at Coors Field will be on Bud Black as the Rox host the San Diego Padres (ironically, the only other MLB squad that Black has previously managed) for a three-game set.
Colorado has already played one series with the Friars in 2025, wherein the Rockies failed to plate a single run. Transparently, a similar result in the Mile High this weekend would be quite detrimental to Black's — who is in his ninth year with the club, posting a total record of 543-688 (.441) — job security.
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On Friday morning, Bleacher Report revealed its list of six managers who could be next on the chopping block, featuring Black at No. 4. Given the present state of the "Blake Street Bombers," I don't think you'll find anyone perplexed by that notion.
Colorado has numerous prevalent issues, but as you might imagine, the pitching has been most cantankerous. Genuinely, it must irk Black's soul, as he spent 15 MLB seasons toeing the rubber, even winning the 1985 World Series with the Kansas City Royals.
Per FanGraphs, Rockies pitching has permitted a 4.37 skill-interactive ERA, which lands them 27th in baseball. Colorado is also failing to strike out opposing batters, yielding an MLB-worst K-rate of only 17.3%.
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Related: Calls Mount for Dodgers to Make Bold $17 Million Lineup Change
Of course, trouble navigating a pitching staff has long been a challenge in Denver. Since inauguration in 1993, the Rox have had seven different managers—Black is just one-of-three skippers in team history who's pushed Colorado into the postseason.
The Rockies (who have not won a contest since May 1) are facing the Padres on Friday night. The projected starters are Randy Vásquez and Antonio Senzatela; first pitch at Coors Field is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. ET.
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