Colorado Rockies: Projecting the 2022 Opening Day lineup

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DENVER, CO – APRIL 1: A general view as fans stand during the ninth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Colorado Rockies on Opening Day at Coors Field on April 1, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Dodgers 8-5. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

For the second consecutive season, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies will open the season against each other at Coors Field in downtown Denver. Both teams will have a new look to them thanks to some big moves in the offseason, with Freddie Freeman in Dodger blue and Kris Bryant now wearing purple, among other changes both teams have witnessed.

So what could be in store when these two National League West rivals kick off the season on April 8? Let’s take a look at the possibilities.

What could the Opening Day lineups for the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers look like at Coors Field?

Last season, the Dodgers went 13-6 against the Rockies, but Colorado opened the season with an 8-5 win at Coors Field on April 1. It was a Rockies lineup that featured Joshua Fuentes at third base, Trevor Story at shortstop, and Chris Owings at second base. None of those three players will be back with Colorado in 2022, so this year’s lineup will definitely have a different feel from the very start.

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs prepares to bat against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a game at Coors Field on August 19, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Projecting the Colorado Rockies Opening Day lineup

Perhaps the biggest change to Colorado’s batting order and lineup this season will be the addition of Kris Bryant, inked to a seven-year, $182 million deal and instantly becoming one of the cornerstones of the franchise for years to come. With a full no-trade clause as part of the deal, the only way Bryant leaves Colorado is if he chooses to leave. New general manager Bill Schmidt is counting on the 30-year-old Bryant finishing his career in Denver.

Here’s how the Rockies could line up when Opening Day 2022 arrives:

Raimel Tapia (L) — RF

Kris Bryant — LF

Charlie Blackmon (L) — DH

C.J. Cron — 1B

Ryan McMahon (L) — 3B

Brendan Rodgers — 2B

Sam Hilliard (L) — CF

Elias Diaz — C

Jose Iglesias — SS

Certainly there is a lot that could change about this lineup between now and Opening Day. The Rockies will likely move the designated hitter position around to various players throughout the season, but Blackmon opening the season in that role makes sense. Just don’t look for him to be there every game as he’ll still have plenty of time in the outfield.

Along those lines, will the Rockies have enough faith in Raimel Tapia to play him in right on a consistent basis? He spent just 17.0 innings there last season and seems to be a player without a position with Bryant as part of the team.

Another thing to watch is what happens in center field. While the Rockies would love to have Hilliard and his power in the lineup, he still has to show he can bring that on a consistent basis while cutting down on strikeouts. Don’t be surprised if Garrett Hampson, who played more innings than anyone in center field last season, doesn’t get the nod if Hilliard doesn’t impress in spring.

Need another potential option? How about this one from the March 22 spring training matchup?

🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/NbWOqHFQdd
— Justin Wick (@justwick) March 22, 2022

Who will take the mound on April 8? Expect German Márquez to get the Opening Day start once again.

So what could Rockies fans expect to see out of the Dodgers? Let’s take a look.

Sep 14, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy (13) returns to the dugout after hitting a two run home run to score right fielder Mookie Betts (50) against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Here’s the Opening Day lineup the Colorado Rockies could face in the Los Angeles Dodgers

There’s no question that the Dodgers will come to Denver as not only the favorite to win the National League West, but also one of the favorites to reach the World Series.

With Márquez on the mound, here’s the lineup that Dodger manager Dave Roberts could roll out.

Mookie Betts — RF

Trea Turner — SS

Freddie Freeman (L) — 1B

Justin Turner — 3B

Max Muncy (L) — DH

Chris Taylor — 2B

Will Smith — C

Cody Bellinger (L) — CF

A.J. Pollock — LF

It’s a tough lineup, but if there is a silver lining for Rockies fans, it’s the fact that the Dodgers player who technically had the best outings against them last season is no longer on the team. As we discussed in this article, Corey Seager obliterated Colorado pitching last season. Now with the Texas Rangers, Colorado will see him (along with former Rockies starter Jon Gray) right after the opening series against the Dodgers as the Rockies make their first road trip of the season to the Lone Star State.

Next. 5 reasons why the Rockies could be playoff contenders in 2022. dark

Don’t be surprised if Walker Buehler isn’t named as the Opening Day starter for the Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw opened the 2021 season on the mound against the Rockies for his 11th all-time Opening Day start, but it’s likely time for the torch to be passed to Buehler, who has never made an Opening Day start.

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What could the Opening Day lineups for the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers look like at Coors Field?

Projecting the Colorado Rockies Opening Day lineup

Here’s the Opening Day lineup the Colorado Rockies could face in the Los Angeles Dodgers

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