Colorado Rockies game no. 1 thread: Kyle Freeland vs Ryan Pepiot

It begins.

It has been 180 days since the Colorado Rockies last took the field for a regular season MLB game. A lot of things have changed since then, but have the Rockies? After a 61-101 campaign in 2024 to cement their sixth consecutive losing season and their second straight 100-loss season, the expectations are low for the boys at 20th and Blake.

The beleaguered fans of the Colorado Rockies once again prepare for the terrifying lows, dizzying highs, and creamy middles that come with 162 games of mile high baseball. Sure, they might offend a few of the blue-noses with their cocky stride and musky odors. Oh, they’ll never be the darling of the so-called “City Fathers,” who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards, and talk about “what’s to be done with these Colorado Rockies?”

And yet, we persist. We wander out of the long, cold dark of winter and glaze bleary-eyed at the sunny spring sky. We hear the crack of the bat, the pop of the catcher’s mitt, and the roar of the crowd. Baseball is back.

Today is game one of 162 and the Colorado Rockies are in Tampa, Florida at Steinbrenner Field: the temporary home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The rosters are set. The players are ready. Let’s play ball.

Left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland will be the Rockies’ Opening Day starter for the fourth time, setting the record for most Opening Day starts in franchise history. Freeland had a difficult start to his 2024 season, posting a 132.1 ERA over 15 ²⁄₃ innings in his first four starts before landing on the 60-day injured list with a left elbow strain. Freeland thankfully turned in a solid season the rest of the way once he returned. From June 23rd through the end of the season he made 17 starts and held a 3.96 ERA through 97 ²⁄₃ innings.

Freeland’s pitch arsenal consists of a sinking fastball he has been able to consistently hit around 93 MPH with, as well as a slider, a curveball, and a changeup. He also has a new pitch in 2025: a sweeper thrown using his curveball grip and different seam orientation.

On the bump for the Rays is the right-handed Ryan Pepiot. Pepiot is taking the place of Shane McLanahan on Opening Day due to the latter ending up on the injured list to start the season. Now in his second year with the Rays organization, Pepiot put together a strong 2024 season despite missing some time due to injury. In 26 starts he posted a 3.60 ERA with 142 strikeouts over 130 innings of work.

The 27-year-old’s primary 1-2 combo is a mid-90s four seam fastball with some vertical drop combined with a mid-80s changeup. He also throws a curveball, slider, and cutter. The Rockies have scored just two runs off of Pepiot in three appearances and 17 innings. They’ve struck out against him 26 times compared to just two walks.

First Pitch: 2:10 p.m. MT

TV: Rockies.tv

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM, KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)

Lineups: