Eight MLB teams that will surprise in 2017

Colorado Rockies

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants run the National League West. It’s awfully hard to see that changing in 2017. But if one team is going to break that stranglehold, it’s Colorado.

As one of baseball’s best two-way players, Nolan Arenado is the headline grabber.

But offensively, the Rockies are so much more than one superstar. Arenado headlines a lineup that includes Trevor Story, Carlos Gonzalez, DJ LeMahieu, Charlie Blackmon, Ian Desmond and David Dahl. That group doesn’t offer many breaks for opposing pitchers — especially at Coors Field.

Of course, playing half of the games at Coors Field brings a natural question. Can the pitching hold up?

It will be difficult, no doubt. But it’s been done before. Since 2011, Colorado has been one of baseball’s worst teams. That’s certainly been “aided” by abysmal pitching. But think back to the last six seasons. How many times have the Rockies had a pitcher that was clearly being hurt by Coors Field? In reality, Colorado just had bad pitchers, and those guys look even worse when pitching at altitude.

With Chad Bettis, Tyler Chatwood and Jon Gray, the 2017 Rockies have starters that at least give reasons for optimism. The same is true with Adam Ottavino and Greg Holland at the back end of the bullpen.

That may not be enough to better the Dodgers and Giants, who are two of the NL’s top teams. But it should be enough to lead the Rockies to a winning season and provide genuine hope for the future of Colorado baseball.