Rough Start: Top five takes from the Rockies' season-opening series in Tampa

The Colorado Rockies have high expectations for themselves in 2025, even if others don’t. That said, the Rockies didn’t live up to those expectations on the opening weekend of the new season.

After falling to the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 Sunday afternoon in Tampa, the Rockies are off to a 1-2 in 2025. Timely hitting and the bullpen were again the Rockies’ achilles heel on Sunday, and that was the case for the entire three games at Steinbrenner Stadium.

Colorado got RBIs from Nick Martini and Hunter Goodman to help the Rockies take a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning, but, the Rays scored three times in the bottom half of the inning as Luis Peralta and Tyler Kinley faltered on the mound.

It was the second time in three days the Rockies couldn’t hold a lead after a starter was strong. Ryan Feltner gave Colorado five innings with just two runs and five strikeouts.

So in the end, Colorado lost two out of three in Tampa, and will have to go on the road for their first National League games of the year when they play at Philadelphia Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.. And as they head to their second series of 2025, the Rockies know they have a lot to work on. The Rockies will start Marquez against Cristopher Sanchez. The Rockies are listed as +198 moneyline underdogs for this matchup against the favorite Phillies (-243). Philadelphia is the favorite on the run line (-1.5). The game's total is set at 8.5 runs. The game will start at 1:05 p.m.

Here’s my top five takes from the first three games of Colorado’s 1-2 start to 2025.

5. Rockies can hit the ball

Run production is down to start the season, but, the Rockies have the hitters to get the job done. Brenton Doyle, Ezequiel Tovar and Hunter Goodman are all off to hot starts at the plate, and recently acquired Mickey Moniak homered in a pinch-hit appearance, plus Nick Martini went on off on Sunday as well. Yes, Colorado has the ability to put the ball in play, that much is obvious.

4. Colorado’s defense is legit

Even without Their Estrada at second base, the Rockies have an excellent defensive lineup, and of course, that’s led by Doyle, Tovar, McMahon and now Goodman behind the plate. So the pitching staff has the defense behind them to be very good this season.

3. Quit leaving men on base

The Rockies left a total of 20 runners in scoring position over the first three games of the season. Enough said. If Colorado’s good hitters can’t drive in more runs, the Rockies have no chance to compete in 2025.

2. Bullpen has the arms, but hasn’t shown it yet

Colorado lost leads in two out of the three games this past weekend, and almost did the same in their narrow win on Sunday. Peralta had an up and down first couple of games, while Victor Vodnik struggled as well. Seth Halvorsen was good, but, his fellow receivers have to do their jobs in order to get the ball to him, and so far, they’re not doing it.

1. Starting pitching is encouraging

While the Rockies’ bullpen is an area of major concern, through three games the Rockies, and manager Bud Black have to be happy with what they saw from starters Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela and Ryan Feltner. Freeland was rolling on Opening Day, and threw a six-inning shutout before the bullpen faltered, while Senzatela was up and down but gave his team a lead. Feltner was really good on Sunday, and he hands German Marquez momentum on Tuesday. Yes, if pitching is Colorado’s biggest questionamark coming into the season, then fans have to like what they saw in Tampa Bay.