First Win: Top three takes from the Rockies' first win of 2025

It wasn’t pretty. But the Colorado Rockies found a way to win their first game of 2025.

Saturday in Tampa Bay, the Rockies held on to beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 2-1 to improve to 1-1 on the season. The Rockies, for the second straight day, took a 2-0 lead deep into the game, and yet again, they struggled to hold it. Yet, they did indeed hold it as young closer Seth Halvorsen got the save.

It was an offensive struggle for Colorado as the Rockies had just six hits and were 2-for-6 with runner’s in scoring position. That trend, along with another shaky outing from the bullpen, are trends Manager Bud Black are only temporary.

Colorado will look to reverse that trend when the Rockies wrap up their season-opening series Sunday at 11:40 a.m. M.D.T. at Steinbrenner Stadium. The Rockies will send out Ryan Feltner, while the Rays are starting Taj Bradley. The Rockies are 1.5 run underdogs at the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. The Over-Under Total is 8.5 Runs.

Here are the top three takes from Saturday’s 2-1 Rockies’ win.

3. Kris Bryant is ice cold so far

The Rockies have been banking on Bryant getting healthy and then producing. He’s healthy to start 2025, but, in his first two games of the season, Bryant is 0-for-7 with three strikeouts. As Colorado’s cleanup hitter, that’s unacceptable, as he’s failing to set up Michael Toglia. No one’s giving up on Bryant, but, dropping him down the order is probably going to happen sooner then later.

2. Hunter Goodman is really good

Goodman started for the second straight day, and he’s proving himself very worthy. The former Top 30 Prospect drove in a run on a double on Saturday, It was his second extra base hit of the season, and he’s already off to a 3-for-6 start this season. That kind of production for a young catcher is only going to enhance the Rockies’ lineup.

1. Starting pitching has been aces

Less then 24 hours after Kyle Freeland’s opening day gem, Antonio Senzatela took his turn, and he delivered. Senzatela scattered nine Ray’s hits, but he wiggled out of every jam, and left the game after four-plus innings with no damage done. The bullpen was again shaky, but unlike on Friday, Colorado got the win. Between Senzatela and good work in short relief from Luis Peralta, the Rockies have been outstanding starting games on the mound, and that bodes well for improving this season.