Back on June 2, I wrote an article about the Colorado Rockies then-record, but also rescored each game based on “Banana Ball” rules, inspired by the Savannah Bananas. At that time, the Rockies were 12-50 with a run differential of -181. Based on Banana Ball rules, they would’ve actually been 14-15-33 with a run differential of -65.

While we await the hire of a new general manager, I decided to run the experiment a second time to see how their final record would look. As a reminder, here are the Rules of Banana Ball:

As before, teams only earn one “point” per inning if they score more runs than their opponent, and only in the last inning does every run count. In theory, that should mean that teams wouldn’t really blow out their opponents like we saw many times in 2025. That proved true the first time, but would it continue to be true over 162 games instead of only 62?

Based on my original results, my hypothesis was once again this: The Rockies’ would win a few more games, but the games would be “closer.”

The exceptions also remained the same:

If the two teams tied an inning, I gave each one point.If the game was tied at the end, I left it tied because that would’ve triggered Rule #11: Showdown Tiebreaker, and we don’t know how those would play out.If a game went to extra innings, I only took into account the first nine innings.

If the 43-119 Colorado Rockies played by Banana Ball rules, they would be 46-28-89. So even if they lost all of their draws (46-116), they would still have won three more games under “Banana Ball” rules.

Once again, some of the results did change. Previously, three games turned from wins to losses, 14 games turned from losses to draws, and one turned from a win to a draw. Starting June 4th, four wins turned into losses, three wins turned into draws, nine losses turned into draws, and eight losses turned into wins.

DateOpponentOriginal ScoreBanana Ball ScoreMarch 28@ Tampa Bay RaysL 2-3D 2-2March 29@ Tampa Bay RaysW 2-1W 2-1March 30@ Tampa Bay RaysL 4-6D 2-2March 31@ Philadelphia PhilliesL 1-6L 1-2April 2@ Philadelphia PhilliesL 1-5L 1-3April 3@ Philadelphia PhilliesL 1-3L 1-3April 4vs. AthleticsL 3-6 (F/11)D 3-3April 5vs. AthleticsL 4-7D 3-3April 6vs. AthleticsW 12-5W 5-4April 8vs. Milwaukee BrewersL 1-7L 0-2April 9vs. Milwaukee BrewersL 2-17L 1-9April 10vs. Milwaukee BrewersW 7-2W 3-1April 11@ San Diego PadresL 0-8L 0-3April 12@ San Diego PadresL 0-2L 0-2April 13@ San Diego PadresL 0-6L 0-3April 14@ Los Angeles DodgersL 3-5L 2-4April 15@ Los Angeles DodgersL 2-6L 1-3April 16@ Los Angeles DodgersL 7-8D 2-2April 19vs. Washington NationalsL 11-12D 3-3April 20, Game 1vs. Washington NationalsL 2-3W 2-1April 20, Game 2vs. Washington NationalsW 3-1W 2-1April 22@ Kansas City RoyalsL 3-4 (F/11)D 3-3April 24, Game 1@ Kansas City RoyalsL 4-7L 2-4April 24, Game 2@ Kansas City RoyalsL 2-6L 2-4April 25vs. Cincinnati RedsL 7-8D 4-4April 26vs. Cincinnati RedsL 4-6L 3-5April 27vs. Cincinnati RedsL 1-8L 1-3April 28vs. Atlanta BravesL 3-6L 1-4April 29vs. Atlanta BravesL 2-8L 1-5April 30vs. Atlanta BravesW 2-1W 2-1May 1@ San Francisco GiantsW 4-3W 3-2May 2@ San Francisco GiantsL 0-4L 0-2May 3@ San Francisco GiantsL 3-6L 0-2May 4@ San Francisco GiantsL 3-9L 1-4May 7vs. Detroit TigersL 6-8 (F/10)D 2-2May 8, Game 1vs. Detroit TigersL 2-10L 2-4May 8, Game 2vs. Detroit TigersL 1-11L 1-3May 9vs. San Diego PadresL 9-13D 4-4May 10vs. San Diego PadresL 0-21L 0-7May 11vs. San Diego PadresW 9-3W 3-1May 12@ Texas RangersL 1-2D 1-1May 13@ Texas RangersL 1-4L 0-2May 14@ Texas RangersL 3-8L 2-3May 16@ Arizona DiamondbacksL 0-8L 0-5May 17@ Arizona DiamondbacksW 14-12D 5-5May 18@ Arizona DiamondbacksL 0-1L 0-1May 19vs. Philadelphia PhilliesL 3-9L 3-6May 20vs. Philadelphia PhilliesL 4-7W 4-3May 21vs. Philadelphia PhilliesL 5-9D 4-4May 22vs. Philadelphia PhilliesL 0-2L 0-2May 23vs. New York YankeesW 3-2W 2-1May 24vs. New York YankeesL 1-13L 1-3May 25vs. New York YankeesL 4-5D 3-3May 26@ Chicago CubsL 1-3L 1-3May 27@ Chicago CubsL 3-4 (F/11)W 2-1May 28@ Chicago CubsL 1-2L 1-2May 30@ New York MetsL 2-4L 2-4May 31@ New York MetsL 2-8L 1-3June 1@ New York MetsL 3-5D 2-2June 2@ Miami MarlinsW 6-4W 4-2June 3@ Miami MarlinsW 3-2W 2-1June 4@ Miami MarlinsW 3-2W 3-1June 6vs. New York MetsL 2-4L 1-3June 7vs. New York MetsL 1-8L 1-5June 8vs. New York MetsL 5-13L 3-6June 10vs. San Francisco GiantsL 5-6L 4-6June 11vs. San Francisco GiantsL 7-10L 4-5June 12vs. San Francisco GiantsW 8-7W 6-2June 13@ Atlanta BravesL 4-12L 2-3June 14@ Atlanta BravesL 1-4L 1-3June 15@ Atlanta BravesW 10-1W 3-1June 16@ Washington NationalsW 6-4W 5-2June 17@ Washington NationalsW 10-6L 4-6June 18@ Washington NationalsW 3-1W 3-1June 19@ Washington NationalsL 3-4 (F/11)D 1-1June 20vs. Arizona DiamondbacksL 8-14L 3-6June 21vs. Arizona DiamondbacksL 3-5L 2-3June 22vs. Arizona DiamondbacksW 4-2L 1-2June 24vs. Los Angeles DodgersL 7-9W 5-3June 25vs. Los Angeles DodgersL 1-8L 0-3June 26vs. Los Angeles DodgersL 1-3L 1-3June 27@ Milwaukee BrewersL 6-10D 2-2June 28@ Milwaukee BrewersL 0-5L 0-3June 29@ Milwaukee BrewersW 4-3 (F/11)W 2-1July 1vs. Houston AstrosL 5-6W 4-2July 2vs. Houston AstrosL 3-5D 2-2July 3vs. Houston AstrosW 7-6D 4-4July 4vs. Chicago White SoxL 2-3L 1-2July 5vs. Chicago White SoxL 3-10L 1-6July 6vs. Chicago White SoxW 6-4W 3-2July 7@ Boston Red SoxL 3-9L 1-4July 8@ Boston Red SoxL 2-10D 2-2July 9@ Boston Red SoxL 2-10L 0-5July 11@ Cincinnati RedsW 3-2D 2-2July 12@ Cincinnati RedsL 3-4L 2-4July 13@ Cincinnati RedsL 2-4L 1-3July 18vs. Minnesota TwinsW 6-4W 3-2July 19vs. Minnesota TwinsW 10-6W 4-3July 20vs. Minnesota TwinsL 1-7L 0-5July 21vs. St. Louis CardinalsL 2-6L 1-4July 22vs. St. Louis CardinalsW 8-4W 5-3July 23vs. St. Louis CardinalsW 6-0W 3-0July 25@ Baltimore OriolesW 6-5W 4-3July 26@ Baltimore OriolesL 0-18L 0-6July 27@ Baltimore OriolesL 1-5L 0-3July 28@ Cleveland GuardiansW 8-6W 8-1July 29@ Cleveland GuardiansL 4-10L 4-6July 30@ Cleveland GuardiansL 0-5L 0-3August 1vs. Pittsburgh PiratesW 17-16W 8-3August 2vs. Pittsburgh PiratesW 8-5D 3-3August 3vs. Pittsburgh PiratesL 5-9L 2-3August 4vs. Toronto Blue JaysL 1-15L 1-5August 5vs. Toronto Blue JaysL 4-10L 2-6August 6vs. Toronto Blue JaysL 1-20L 1-12August 8@ Arizona DiamondbacksL 1-6L 1-3August 9@ Arizona DiamondbacksL 5-6L 2-4August 10@ Arizona DiamondbacksL 6-13W 3-2August 11@ St. Louis CardinalsL 2-3L 1-2August 12@ St. Louis CardinalsW 3-0W 2-0August 13@ St. Louis CardinalsW 6-5W 5-3August 14vs. Arizona DiamondbacksL 2-8L 2-4August 15vs. Arizona DiamondbacksW 4-3W 3-2August 16vs. Arizona DiamondbacksW 10-7L 3-4August 17vs. Arizona DiamondbacksW 6-5W 3-2August 18vs. Los Angeles DodgersW 4-3W 3-2August 19vs. Los Angeles DodgersL 4-11W 5-2August 20vs. Los Angeles DodgersW 8-3W 4-3August 21vs. Los Angeles DodgersL 5-9L 3-5August 22@ Pittsburgh PiratesL 0-9L 0-4August 23@ Pittsburgh PiratesL 1-5L 1-3August 24@ Pittsburgh PiratesL 0-4L 0-1August 26@Houston AstrosW 6-1W 2-1August 27@Houston AstrosL 0-4L 0-3August 28@Houston AstrosL 3-4D 3-3August 29vs. Chicago CubsL 7-11W 4-3August 30vs. Chicago CubsL 3-4D 2-2August 31vs. Chicago CubsW 6-5W 4-2September 1vs. San Francisco GiantsL 2-8L 1-4September 2vs. San Francisco GiantsL 4-7L 2-3September 3vs. San Francisco GiantsL 8-10W 5-4September 5vs. San Diego PadresW 3-0W 3-0September 6vs. San Diego PadresL 8-10W 3-2September 7vs. San Diego PadresL 1-8L 1-4September 8@ Los Angeles DodgersL 1-3L 1-2September 9@ Los Angeles DodgersL 2-7L 2-5September 10@ Los Angeles DodgersL 0-9L 0-2September 11@ San Diego PadresL 0-2L 0-2September 12@ San Diego PadresW 4-2L 1-2September 13@ San Diego PadresL 3-11L 2-5September 14@ San Diego PadresL 6-9L 3-4September 16vs. Miami MarlinsL 5-6W 3-2September 17vs. Miami MarlinsL 4-8L 2-6September 18vs. Miami MarlinsL 7-9D 5-5September 19vs. Los Angeles AngelsW 7-6W 2-1September 20vs. Los Angeles AngelsL 0-3L 0-3September 21vs. Los Angeles AngelsW 3-1W 3-1September 23@ Seattle MarinersL 3-4D 2-2September 24@ Seattle MarinersL 2-9L 1-5September 25@ Seattle MarinersL 2-6L 2-3September 26@ San Francisco GiantsL 3-6L 1-2September 27@ San Francisco GiantsL 3-4D 2-2September 28@ San Francisco GiantsL 0-4L 0-3Record43-11946-27-89RS-RA597-1021343-492Run Differential-424-149

Additionally, their run differential went from a record-breaking -424 to a significantly less bad -149. The only big innings they were tagged for were a seven-run ninth against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 9, a four-run ninth against the San Francisco Giants on June 10, a four-run ninth against the Washington Nationals on June 17, and an eight-run ninth against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 6.

However, they also had a few big innings of their own:

A three-run ninth on June 12 against the GiantsA three-run ninth on June 16 against the NationalsA four-run ninth on July 28 against the GuardiansA five-run ninth on August 1 against the PiratesA three-run ninth on September 3 against the GiantsA two-run ninth on September 16 against the Marlins (second run was the game-winner)A four-run ninth on September 18 against the Marlins (final run tied the game)They only had one eight-game losing streak (September 7-14) instead of five.They had two five-game losing streaks (April 11-15 and June 6-11) and one six-gamer (August 3-9).They won their first back-to-back games in the doubleheader on April 20 instead of April 30 and May 1.Their longest win streak was four games from August 17-20, when they took three of four from the Dodgers at Coors Field.Their largest margin of victory was 8-1 against the Guardians on July 28 (10-1 in real life against the Braves on June 15), and their largest margin of defeat was 12-1 against the Blue Jays on August 6 (20-1 in real life in the same game).They never drew more than two games in a row (three times: April 4 and 5 against the Athletics, April 16 and 19 against the Dodgers and Nationals, and July 2 and 3 against the Astros). They won the next game twice, and lost the third time.

Just as before, my hypothesis was wrong, but still not horribly off base. The Rockies still only managed a handful more wins, but they cut their run differential by 2/3.

They continued to have long losing streaks, but they were shorter. Additionally, they only had two really long streaks of six or more games. All in all, the Rockies seemed to be “playing” better baseball under Banana Ball rules. They were more competitive, and I still would like to make the argument that this could be a good “mercy rule” for MLB.

What are your thoughts on Banana Ball? Were you able to see them at Coors Field? (If not, you can read Mac Wilcox’s experience here.) Will you try to see them next year? Do you think MLB could adopt a rule or two from Banana Ball? Let me know your thoughts!

Peoria Javelinas 10, Salt River Rafters 1

It was a tough day at the yard for the Salt River Rafters, who were dismantled by the Peoria Javelinas. New Rockie Ben Shields made his AFL debut for the Rafters, allowing five runs on four hits with a walk in just 1/3 of an inning. He issued a leadoff walk to Orioles’ center fielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. (no relation), who then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Angels’ catcher Juan Flores. Orioles’ catcher Ethan Anderson then doubled to score Bradfield. Mariners’ right fielder Jonny Farmelo flied out to right — the only out Shields recorded. Mariners’ second baseman Brock Rodden then hit a soft single and stole second, then Reds’ third baseman Leo Balcazar singled to score Rodden and run up the score 3-0. Reds’ first baseman Cam Collier then singled, and Shields’ night was over. But three walks and a sac fly later, and five earned runs were charged to Shields in the first inning. D-Backs’ right-hander Kyle Amendt came in to relieve him and then walked Anderson walked — the second bases-loaded walk issued by the Rafters — and finally struck out Farmelo on a foul tip to end the inning down 6-0.

On the hitting side, Charlie Condon went 1-for-3 and Braylen Wimmer went 0-for-2 with an RBI.

Rockies Potential Managerial Options Based on General Manager Hiring | Sports Illustrated

We still don’t know who the Rockies general manager will be. We’ve heard rumblings of two finalists, but there will be another question once someone is hired (one of these two or another person): who will be the manager in the dugout? One answer could be 2025 interim manager Warren Schaeffer, but it is likely that a new GM will want to bring in his own guy to helm the team. Matt Postins lays out two potential candidates for each GM finalist.

Colorado’s second biggest baseball team after the Rockies is leaving the state | 98.5 KYGO

It was announced yesterday that the Rocky Mountain Vibes — the former minor league team turned independent league team — will not return for the 2026 season in Colorado Springs. They aren’t relocating, but there’s no word in what might use the venue instead.

The Vibes were founded in 2019 when the Pioneer League turned independent, but were previously the Colorado Springs Sky Sox and served as a Triple-A affiliate of the Rockies, Brewers and Indians from 1988-2018.

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