The Colorado Rockies were always going to be better in 2026 than they were in 2025. Nowhere to go but up.

That said, it’s still pretty incredible to see just how much better they are in the early going. In just about every single category. Especially on the mound. Of course, early season caveats apply. Still, it’s hard not to be impressed with what this team has managed so far, especially given the schedule they’ve faced.

So, let’s take a look at a few categories to see where the Rox have made the biggest leaps and bounds. So far.

Run Differential

We took a look at this earlier in the season. When it comes to run differential, the Rockies have started to slip a bit since then but are still in a decent spot at -16 runs.

Compare that to the defending AL Champion Toronto Blue Jays (-27) the Boston Red Sox (-29) the Chicago White Sox (-25) the Kansas City Royals (-32) the Houston Astros (-21) the New York Mets (-25) the San Francisco Giants (-24) or the Philadelphia Phillies at a whopping -53 runs.

Not too shabby.

Of that group, only the Giants and White Sox have a better winning percentage and both by a half game.

The Rockies have played one 4-5 in one-run games. They’ve lost via the walk-off three times. Though, it feels like four. Arguably their toughest loss of the season was a 10-8 defeat at the hands of the San Diego Padres Thursday night. They took a three-run lead into the ninth but lost by two on a bad night for Victor Vodnik. It was already the third time this season the Rox appeared to have the Pads beat before falling just short. 

Colorado is the first team this season to take back-to-back games from the Los Angeles Dodgers. And the first NL team to… not lose a series to them… damn four-game sets. They have been blown out (lost by five or more runs) just four times. Twice to the Dodgers. Once to the Padres. And in the home opener against the Phillies.
Starting Pitching

A year ago, Rockies starters posted an ERA of 6.65. Second worst? The Washington Nationals at a considerably better 5.18.

A few rough games, especially a pair from Michael Lorenzen, have limited the growth in this area. But it has still been significant. As of Saturday April 25, the Rox starters carry an ERA of 5.05. Fifth worst in MLB but quite a bit better.

It’s also a slight misnomer. As anyone paying attention knows, the Rockies have used their bullpen by design quite a bit this season. Additionally, injuries to Jose Quintana, Ryan Feltner, and Kyle Freeland have forced them to employ this tactic even when they weren’t planning to.

So yes, the starters sit at the bottom of the charts in terms of strikeouts in large part because they are also second to last (White Sox) in terms of innings pitched. On the flip side, the Rockies starting rotation has offered the second-fewest (Mariners) free passes on the season.

There is plenty of time for these numbers to improve. Also, there is plenty of time for them to get worse. But the early signs are mildly promising.

In 2025, the Rockies starting rotation was historically terrible. A huge part of that was, unfortunately, that a pair of all-time Rockies were awful. German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela. Marquez is now a Padre and Senzatela is now a reliever.Which brings us to the biggest area of improvement.

The Bullpen

Typically, your ‘pen leading MLB in innings pitched is not a good thing. On the other side of the spectrum, you will see the Dodgers, Yankees, Mariners, and Tigers with the lowest reliever workload. That’s because their starters are very good and pitch more innings. 

Also, when you look just below the Rockies in terms of bullpen usage, you’ll find the Nationals, White Sox, Astros, and Blue Jays. Each of these teams has a bullpen ERA over 5.40. The Rockies relievers sport a sterling 3.77.

They lead MLB with 132 strikeouts. Four Rox relievers sit in the top 90th percentile for velocity. Victor Vodnik is in the 98th percentile. And the revelation of the season, Chase Dollander, is in the 99th percentile.

Easily the most important development in the early going has been Dollander’s emergence. His last two appearances are arguably the best he has put together at this level. He has thrown 25 innings with a 2.88 ERA, 32 strikeouts to only 7 walks. 

In his role as a bulk reliever, he hasn’t started a game yet but is third in innings pitched and third in bWAR among all Rockies pitchers. He has pitched six more innings than any reliever in MLB and has five more strikeouts than Mason Miller who is in second place. 

First place in WAR? That would be the aforementioned Senzatela who has absolutely reimagined himself in the bullpen. His 0.50 ERA and 0.667 WHIP on the year comfortably lead the club. He has even managed to pick up the first two Saves of his career. His fastball velocity is in the 86th percentile and his expected ERA in the 94th percentile. He has simply been one of the best relief pitchers in baseball so far in 2026.