The Colorado Rockies come into their March 28, 2025, season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays following a dismal 61-101 record in 2024 that saw them finish last in the NL West and once again face questions about their long-term organizational direction, development pipeline, and lack of pitching depth, all of which have kept them in a perennial state of rebuild despite flashes of offensive promise from several young position players. Determined to avoid another triple-digit loss campaign, the Rockies spent the offseason reshuffling their roster, bolstering the bullpen, and adding utility depth while continuing to rely on a core built around Kris Bryant, Ryan McMahon, Ezequiel Tovar, and Elehuris Montero. However, the team has already encountered early adversity with starting second baseman Thairo Estrada sustaining a fractured wrist during spring training that will sideline him for 4–8 weeks, thrusting veteran utility man Kyle Farmer into a full-time role to begin the year. While Estrada’s injury is a blow to the team’s defensive middle infield and baserunning strategy, the Rockies hope Farmer’s experience and contact-heavy approach can provide some stability to the lineup. Leading the offense is Ryan McMahon, who continues to be a bright spot with his power and defensive ability at third base, while outfielders like Nolan Jones and Brenton Doyle are expected to contribute more significantly this season as they gain confidence and experience. On the mound, left-hander Kyle Freeland is expected to make the Opening Day start, bringing veteran leadership and a competitive edge to a rotation that desperately needs consistency and innings after finishing 2024 with the worst team ERA in baseball.

Freeland, while not a strikeout artist, thrives on weak contact and ground balls when his command is sharp, and he will need to keep Tampa Bay’s aggressive hitters off balance to give Colorado a shot on the road. The bullpen remains a concern, as blown saves and late-inning collapses were a recurring theme last season, though offseason additions and minor league promotions may help improve the late-game outlook. Offensively, the Rockies can be dangerous in spurts, especially when their lineup gets rolling with timely hits and occasional power, but their struggles with plate discipline and situational hitting have often left runners stranded and forced the pitching staff into high-leverage innings with little margin for error. On the road, Colorado’s offense tends to underperform significantly compared to the Coors Field-friendly numbers they post at home, which is a factor they must overcome if they’re to avoid another last-place finish. Defensively, the team has improved in terms of fielding percentage and range, particularly in the outfield, but inconsistency in double-play execution and cut-off plays continues to cost them runs. With Opening Day representing a fresh start, the Rockies are hoping to flip the script with a clean game on both sides of the ball, capitalizing on the Rays’ current uncertainty with their pitching staff and home venue situation. A strong start from Freeland, timely offense from the middle of the order, and clean defense will be key to stealing a rare road win against a fundamentally sound but disrupted Rays squad as Colorado begins yet another season with something to prove.