Sunday’s matchup between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park presents a clash of two teams heading in dramatically different directions to start the 2025 season, with the Padres entering the finale riding an 11–3 record and an undefeated 8–0 streak at home, while the Rockies limp in at 3–10 with mounting issues on both sides of the ball. The Padres have looked every bit the part of an elite contender early in the season, thanks to a deep lineup, efficient pitching, and rock-solid defense that has helped them pull away in tight games and dominate weaker opponents. Leading the charge on Sunday is right-hander Michael King, who brings a 2–0 record and a 4.05 ERA over 13.1 innings pitched. Though his ERA may not sparkle, King has shown impressive control and the ability to navigate lineups using his mix of fastball, cutter, and changeup, keeping hitters guessing and limiting damage in high-leverage spots. On offense, San Diego continues to benefit from the superstar duo of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado—Tatis is hitting .364 with a .442 OBP, using his speed and plate discipline to wreak havoc at the top of the lineup, while Machado has quietly compiled a .340 average with a .500 slugging percentage, driving in runs and providing veteran stability. Complementing them are solid contributions from Jake Cronenworth and Xander Bogaerts, giving the Padres a potent, multi-dimensional offense capable of producing in nearly every inning.

Meanwhile, the bullpen—anchored by Jason Adam and Japanese import Yuki Matsui—has been a fortress in the late innings, allowing the Padres to protect leads and shut the door effectively. On the flip side, the Rockies have struggled mightily out of the gate, with a 3–10 record that reflects not only a lack of execution but also concerning trends in pitching depth and defensive inconsistency. Kyle Freeland will take the mound for Colorado, entering the game with an 0–2 record and a 3.79 ERA over 19 innings. While Freeland has pitched relatively well and provided length, he’s received little run support and has been let down by a defense that continues to commit untimely errors and extend innings. The offense, too, has been anemic, with only Brenton Doyle (.302) and Ryan McMahon (.295) showing signs of life; beyond that, the Rockies have struggled to sustain rallies, hitting poorly with runners in scoring position and failing to capitalize on scoring chances. Their bullpen has been overworked due to short starts and inefficient defense, and fatigue is already showing in key relief arms who have been thrust into too many pressure scenarios too early in the year. For Colorado to have any shot at avoiding the sweep, they’ll need a near-flawless outing from Freeland, sharp defense, and a lineup that can finally string together productive innings against one of the league’s deepest bullpens. While upsets can happen, all signs point toward another dominant performance from the Padres, who appear locked in and determined to protect their perfect home record while further establishing themselves as one of the early juggernauts in the National League.