The Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies will begin a three-game series at Coors Field on April 25, 2025, in a contest that showcases two National League teams moving in opposite directions to start the season. The Reds enter the matchup with a 12–13 record and will look to reach .500 behind the outstanding performance of Andrew Abbott, who has delivered ace-level production early in the year with a 2–0 record and a sparkling 1.64 ERA. On the other side, the Rockies are mired in one of the worst starts in baseball at 4–18, plagued by inconsistent pitching, a struggling offense, and defensive lapses that have made even competitive games difficult to close out. Lefty Kyle Freeland gets the start for Colorado, bringing a rough 0–4 record and a 4.85 ERA into a game where he’ll be tasked with not only keeping the Reds’ young core in check but also pitching deep enough to avoid exposing the Rockies’ taxed bullpen. The Reds are led offensively by the electric Elly De La Cruz, who continues to pace the club with 16 RBIs and game-changing athleticism, while Matt McLain adds thump and reliability with three homers and the ability to deliver in key moments. Despite a team batting average of just .213, Cincinnati has managed to average 4.2 runs per game thanks to timely hits and above-average base running, a style well-suited for Coors Field’s expansive outfield and offensive-friendly atmosphere. The Rockies’ struggles have been widespread, but the lack of offensive production has arguably been the most glaring issue, with the team averaging just under three runs per contest and failing to generate consistent pressure on opposing pitchers. Brenton Doyle has been one of the few bright spots, leading the team with 12 RBIs and showing some flashes of what the Rockies hope will become a reliable power-speed threat.

However, the rest of the lineup has underwhelmed, and the team’s collective inability to convert scoring chances has often led to late-game implosions that further demoralize an already struggling squad. Their team ERA of 5.29 reflects not just a weak rotation, but a bullpen that has been stretched far too thin due to short outings from starters and poor in-game execution. Colorado’s defensive efficiency has also been among the worst in the league, adding further pressure to an already underperforming pitching staff. Manager Bud Black continues to search for the right lineup and pitching combinations to spark some kind of turnaround, and while the team has recently covered the spread in five straight games, they remain win-starved and vulnerable to aggressive, athletic teams like Cincinnati that capitalize on defensive mistakes. For the Reds, this game and series represent a golden opportunity to get back to .500 and start stacking wins against struggling opponents, especially as they begin a stretch of winnable games ahead of tougher interleague matchups in May. Abbott’s dominance on the mound, combined with the high-impact tools of De La Cruz, McLain, and Will Benson, give Cincinnati the upper hand in a matchup where run prevention will be key. The challenge for the Reds will be avoiding the trap of playing down to the competition, staying aggressive early in counts against Freeland, and not letting Colorado hang around in a park known for big innings and unpredictable momentum swings. If Abbott can continue to dominate with his command and change speeds effectively at altitude, and if the Reds can build an early lead, they’ll be in ideal position to let their bullpen—which has been strong early in the season—protect the advantage. A win in Game 1 could open the door to a much-needed series sweep and help reestablish Cincinnati’s presence in the NL Central race.