Depending on how you look at it, this time of year can really suck.

One minute, the school year is young and stress free, classes are underway and DU is back in full swing. And then, right when you start to feel comfortable and settled in… Quick, pop quiz! Mid-terms around the corner! Projects due next week!

And if that’s not enough, here’s a little more added on stress to figure out: Will we have another Rocktober coming soon? (No, that’s no typo. If you don’t know what “Rocktober” is, then you probably should try reading something else. I recommend Cosmo). So put that business calc aside, and let’s do some real homework…

While Colorado’s chances of catching the Dodgers are just about gone, the Rox are still in the driver’s seat in the National League Wild Card race with less than a week left in the regular season.

They have more wins in September than the Giants, Braves or Marlins. Yes, Colorado has to finish in Los Angeles for a three-game series. But L.A. will already be in the playoffs; they won’t care about that series. The only thing that’ll matter to them is staying healthy.

The Marlins and Braves have each put nice little runs here at the end of the season, but will ultimately cancel each other out of the Wild Card chase simply because they have to play one another three more times. That leaves Colorado’s division rival and only real threat all season: the Giants.

Yes, San Fran finishes their season against weaker opponents in Arizona and San Diego, but it still won’t matter.

The key to the Rockies success lies in not as much how they finish the season then how they finish games. Since Aug. 22, eight of the Rockies wins have come when they were tied or trailing in the seventh inning or later.

Ageless wonder, Jason Giambi has already won at least four games for the Rox with is pinch-hitting alone. And Seth Smith, quiet-mannered and all—has played like he’d rather chew a box of nails than miss the playoffs.

This team is not your ’07 Rockies club—a Cinderella story miracle team riding on a giant high into the postseason.

No, these Rockies have been streaky all season, but never counted themselves out. Their eight come from behind victories in the end of summer are proof. And because of their hunger, swagger, belief…whatever cliché term you’d like to call it (I prefer “mojo,” just cause it sounds cool), the Rockies just might have the edge. 

Pop quiz: Will there be another Rocktober coming soon?

If all goes as planned, you can bet Paul Bunya—I mean, Todd Helton’s goatee there will be.