There have been a lot of memorable Opening Day’s for the Colorado Rockies, even pre-dating the Opening of Coors Field in 1995. Eric Young’s leadoff homer in Colorado’s first ever home game at old Mile High Stadium in 1993. Dante Bichette’s walk off homer in the 14th inning of 1995 game that christened brand new Coors Field. Rookie shortstop Clint Barmes walk off homer that lifted Colorado past the San Diego Padres 12-10 in 2005. Kyle Freeland’s Rockies debut in 2017 that became an amazing 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 2026 version? It’s a game everyone associated with the club would love to forget.
Phillies Big Boppers Do Their Thing at Coors Field
The visiting Philadelphia Phillies ruined this year’s party in lower downtown Denver by bludgeoning the home team 10-1. They lit up newly acquired starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen – fresh off an outstanding performance in the World Baseball Classic – for 7 runs in the first inning. The inning included a towering 454 foot home run by Phillies Brandon Marsh, while teammates Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber (a 460 foot blast) each added monster home runs in the romp.
There are some the subscribe to the idea that Opening Day can set a tone for the rest of the season. While that may be the case sometimes, it’s not always an accurate measurement of how a team is going to do the rest of the season. For example, the only Rockies World Series team in history, the 2007 version, stumbled in the opener, falling 8-6 to Arizona after blowing a late lead. The 2009 Rockies, another playoff team, beat the Phillies 10-3 on Day One.
The Rockies playoff teams in 2017 (Freeland’s gem) and 2018 (an 8-3 loss to Atlanta) split their season openers.
Colorado Trying to Avoid a Fourth Straight 100-loss Season
The last three Rockies teams have each lost more than 100 games, including last season’s historic 119-loss season. But oddly enough, Colorado has won three of their last four home openers, including a 1-0 gem over Washington in 2023 from Freeland and two relievers. Last season, Colorado used six different pitchers and scored six runs in the final two innings to walk off Tampa 10-7.
One of the very few highlights from that very difficult season.
Most with an educated opinion believe Colorado will lose more than 100 games again this year for the fourth consecutive time. Others believe there will be marked improvement from a retooled roster and a more experienced pitching staff. In reality, both things can be true. Something like a 15-game improvement – which would still leave the Rockies with 104 losses – would likely be an acceptable first season for the revamped Rockies front office.
Colorado is already dealing with an injury to a starting pitcher. Veteran Jose Quintana, brought in to help stabilize a rotation in flux, suffered a strained hamstring, and has landed on the injured list. Highly touted young righthander Chase Dollander, who picked up a win in relief in Toronto, is now slated to return the starting rotation on Sunday.
After a surprising road series win in Toronto against the defending American League champion Blue Jays earlier in the week, Colorado appears to be much improved team already…although games like the home opener against the Phillies don’t help much.
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