It was only one game, but what a win, what fun in the Florida sun for the 2019 Colorado Rockies.
They received production at the plate from up and down the lineup, Kyle Freeland was superb on the mound and the team won 6-3. It may have been just one victory, but it was a perfect way to enter the new season, with a commanding victory, on the road, in a place the team historically struggles.
After some feeling out by each team — and solid pitching by Freeland to hold Miami off the board early — the Rockies went wild in the fourth inning, scoring four with timely doubles and singles. Nolan Arenado’s double flew directly over third base, then Trevor Story reached on a throwing error, and David Dahl brought Arenado home with a sharp single.
With the help of another error by the Marlins, Ryan McMahon’s single scored Story and Dahl, and then Chris Iannetta’s double scored McMahon to push the lead to 4-0.
Of course, we expect the $260 million man to do his thing, both at the plate and in the field. Story’s success at the plate comes as no surprise either. But it was the opportune hitting of Dahl — who’s expected to have a breakout season — McMahon and Iannetta which was crucial in that fourth inning. If the Rockies can get consistent production from the bottom half of the batting order this year, they’ll have a good chance of making it back to the postseason for a third straight season.
“We feel like we’re a very long and deep lineup, and we feel like there are no outs, really — no easy outs,” Story said per MLB.com.
And, while it was only the first game of the year, we saw that play out in the fourth.
Story followed that key inning with a monstrous home run which seemed to charge Dahl — who’s scorching line drive came mere feet from hitting back-to-back jacks — and even Ian Desmond came to life, hitting a double to then score Dahl and give Colorado a comfortable 6-0 lead in the fifth inning.
Not only was that production from the entire lineup important, it was simply fun baseball. What fan doesn’t like to see six runs put on the scoreboard in a hurry, with everyone being involved? It’s why the Blake Street Bombers were kings of LODO back in the early 90s.
And pardon the Coors talk, but if the Rockies can hit well on the road, it’s likely they’ll be even better in the friendly confines at a mile high.
As fun as high-scoring baseball can be, the Rockies may not even have to score wildly every game to win. Freeland is the team’s unquestioned ace and he gracefully picked his play back up from where it left off last year. He seems to welcome the challenge of being “the guy” and gets the most out of his wiry frame.
Freeland is only the tip of the pitching iceberg in Denver, though. With German Marquez, Tyler Anderson, Jon Gray and Chad Bettis, the Rockies have arguably their deepest and most talented starting lineup of pitchers in the 26-year history of the franchise. How the bullpen deals with losing Adam Ottavino remains to be seen, and that pen is likely the weakest aspect of this 2019 team, but between the solid starters and superb batting lineup, these Rockies are primed for the playoffs.
Yes, it was just one game, but what fun. Seemingly the entire lineup hit the ball well while Freeland shut down the Marlins and the bullpen did enough to hold onto the victory.
Opening Day was more than just a win on the diamond in Florida, too. It was 70 degrees in Colorado, proof spring has arrived and summer is just around the corner. The birds are chirping and people are venturing out of their homes to embrace the sunshine.
Opening Day not only means baseball has thankfully returned, but it also means spring is in full swing, and with it, new beginnings.
These Rockies, one of the most talented teams ever assembled in Colorado’s history, are also helping that hope spring eternal for baseball fans across the Rocky Mountain region.