Colorado Rockies Opening Night: Five Things We Learned

Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Overall view of Chase Field as Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke pitches in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Overall view of Chase Field as Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke pitches in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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4.  Starting Pitching Has to Grind

Jorge De La Rosa was the right guy to start game #1, although it wasn’t pretty. De La Rosa didn’t have all that spectacular of a spring, so there was a case that maybe Chad Bettis should be the guy to start Opening Night. De La Rosa’s experience ended up tipping the scales in his favor … and for good reason. De La Rosa knows how to grind out starts better than anyone.

Blessed with a big lead, De La Rosa knew all he needed to do was be better than Greinke and, to his credit, he was … but not by much at all. De La Rosa only lasted 4.2 innings, giving up eight hits and five earned runs. If it’s any consolation, De La Rosa did strike out eight in his time on the mound. If Opening Night is any indication, buckle in for another long season as the Rockies are going to have to win a lot of shoot outs to have any chance in October.