The September decisions of which position players get penciled into the lineup each day seem more complicated this year. Without any kind of playoff contention, the Rockies find themselves playing the same game for the fourth-straight season: who plays today? Do veterans or rookies get more time?
The curveball this year that makes things more difficult is the lack of pitch hitting with the universal DH. There is one more batter every day getting usually at least four at-bats, but on most days, it really is just the one extra hitter. The Rockies aren’t big on using pinch hitters to get ideal matchups or making midgame changes (unless it’s a blowout).