The Colorado Rockies' best starting pitcher this season from wire to wire was a right-hander coming off his second Tommy John surgery.
That would be Tyler Chatwood, who pitched yet another dominant road start in his final outing of the season Thursday to wrap up a surprisingly successful year.
Chatwood gave up three hits, no runs, struck out nine and walked two in eight innings against the San Francisco Giants. He got the win in Colorado's 2-0 victory, which improved his record to 12-9.
The effort lowered his road ERA to 1.69 — the lowest mark in the MLB this season among qualifying starters, and also a Rockies' record for pitchers who've logged at least 80 innings in a season.
Not bad for a guy who, prior to this season, hadn't pitched in an MLB game since April 29, 2014.
Chatwood's final 2016 line: 158 innings pitched, 117 strikeouts and a 3.87 ERA.
If you're wondering how a pitcher with a 1.69 ERA finished with a 3.87 ERA, the answer is Coors. Chatwood struggled, as most pitchers do, inside the not-so-friendly-confines of Coors Field with a 6.12 ERA.
Still, it was a remarkable season considering what Chatwood had to go through to pitch again. Chatwood is one of the biggest reasons to feel good about the Rockies' starting pitching rotation moving forward. He, Tyler Anderson, Jon Gray and Chad Bettis give Colorado a strong foundation where it's rarely had one.
Now if the Rockies (74-84) can only get that bullpen sorted out.
