The Colorado Rockies return home to Coors Field on July 23, 2025, to face the St. Louis Cardinals in a matchup that highlights two teams on very different competitive paths. For the Rockies, the 2025 season has largely been about player development and identifying long-term building blocks, as their record continues to reflect the challenges of rebuilding in a hitter-friendly environment that demands depth both on the mound and in the lineup. Colorado’s struggles this year have centered on inconsistent starting pitching and a bullpen that’s been among the league’s worst in preventing late-game scoring. Austin Gomber, a former Cardinal, takes the mound for this game and will aim to exact some revenge against his old club. Gomber’s season has been a rollercoaster—he’s had strong outings at times, but more often than not he’s struggled with command and home run suppression, particularly at Coors. Still, when he’s able to locate his curveball and mix speeds effectively, he’s capable of neutralizing right-handed bats, and Colorado will be hoping for one of those better versions of Gomber to show up. Offensively, the Rockies remain anchored by veterans like Kris Bryant and Ryan McMahon, both of whom have shown flashes of power and production, though neither has fully lived up to their billing this season. Youngsters like Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle continue to gain valuable experience, with Tovar especially earning praise for his defensive instincts and potential as a future cornerstone at shortstop.

Offense tends to come easier in Denver, and the Rockies are always a threat to string together runs, particularly in the thin air where mistakes are magnified and extra-base hits come in bunches. However, their biggest obstacle remains preventing those same big innings from opponents, and the bullpen’s inability to strand inherited runners has been a consistent theme. Defensively, Colorado has been solid in the infield but remains vulnerable in the outfield gaps, an issue that is frequently exposed by lineups that work counts and drive the ball with authority. Manager Bud Black has done his best to manage innings and workloads for his young arms, but attrition has taken its toll over the long summer months. This matchup against a streaky but dangerous Cardinals squad will test the Rockies’ ability to execute early and maintain focus late, especially if the game turns into a high-scoring affair. Playing spoiler is now the Rockies’ primary motivation, and they’ll look to capitalize on any lapses by a St. Louis team fighting to stay in the playoff picture. For Colorado, small victories—like a quality start from Gomber or a multi-hit night from a rising prospect—represent meaningful progress in a season centered more on evaluation than postseason dreams. But with the comfort of playing at home and the unpredictability of Coors Field always in play, the Rockies are never to be completely counted out, particularly when facing a familiar foe in front of their home fans.