The Colorado Rockies return to Coors Field on Sunday to conclude their series against the Minnesota Twins, carrying the weight of a 24–74 record that places them among the worst-performing teams in Major League Baseball this season. It has been a long and grueling campaign for the Rockies, marked by injuries, roster inconsistency, and an inability to execute in critical moments, especially late in games. The team has struggled both at home and on the road, but their 12–36 record at Coors Field is particularly alarming given that the ballpark is typically one of the few advantages they hold due to its elevation and hitting-friendly dimensions. Veteran right-hander Germán Márquez is expected to start, and while he has shown flashes of past success, his 3–10 record and 5.57 ERA illustrate the tough year he’s endured, especially when his command falters or he leaves pitches up in the zone—an unforgivable mistake in a stadium like this. Márquez’s performance will be crucial, not just for the Rockies’ hopes of salvaging the game, but also for his own outlook as a stabilizing presence in a rotation full of uncertainty. Offensively, the Rockies lean heavily on young pieces such as Tyler Freeman, who has quietly been one of the few consistent bats, hitting above .320 and providing solid defense. Hunter Goodman has shown promise with flashes of power, but the overall lineup lacks depth and struggles to produce sustained rallies, particularly against teams with quality starting pitching like Minnesota.

Colorado’s biggest issue, however, remains its bullpen, which has consistently allowed games to spiral out of control in the later innings due to walks, home runs, and defensive breakdowns. The Rockies’ defense, while serviceable at times, often collapses under pressure, compounding the damage when the bullpen falters. Despite the adversity, the Rockies continue to compete hard on a nightly basis, showing flashes of fight and grit, especially when the young players step up. The coaching staff remains committed to player development, even if that comes at the expense of wins, as they test out different lineups and bullpen roles with an eye toward future seasons. For the Rockies to have a shot on Sunday, they’ll need Márquez to deliver a rare gem, the offense to jump on Joe Ryan early, and the bullpen to hold together for at least three innings—a tall order, but not entirely impossible if things break just right. Playing spoiler is the most realistic motivation for the Rockies at this point, and stealing a win from a playoff hopeful like the Twins would be a small but welcome bright spot in a season filled with disappointments. With the crowd behind them and nothing to lose, the Rockies will look to turn chaos into opportunity and play loose in a game where the pressure is squarely on the visiting team.