Rockies’ Bettis perfecting the fast finish

PHOENIX — Playing the what-if game is like expecting good dreams while wrapped in a thin, wet blanket, but it’s a little more fun when it comes to Rockies right-handed starting pitcher Chad Bettis.

Last year, Bettis went 4-2 with a 3.33 ERA from July 12 to season’s end, and compiled a 1.50 ERA in his final four starts. This year, from June 15 to Monday, Bettis was 8-1 with a 3.99 ERA. His wins were tied for third-most among National League starters, behind the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks (11) and the Nationals’ Tanner Roark (9).

So, let’s play the game:

• What if Bettis (12-7, 4.78 ERA) can sustain this pattern?

• And, what if the Rockies find their way into contention in the next year or so?

That’s not a bad way for Rockies fans to dream away the winter.

This year’s solid season has included a couple of down periods — a four-start slump in late May and early June (0-3, 11.57 ERA) and a three-start blip (0-1, 6.92) that included a career-high seven walks in his loss at Milwaukee on Aug. 22. Each time …

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