MIAMI — cast his vote of confidence with the Rockies when he signed an eight-year, $260 million contract early in spring training.
The six-time Gold Glove third baseman and MVP candidate believes the Rockies can earn their third consecutive playoff berth. He also thinks they have a legitimate chance of bumping the mighty Dodgers off the National League West throne.
Arenado says, however, that the Rockies had better take care of business.
“Expectations are high, but some things, some pieces, have to come together,” he said. “Hopefully the bullpen falls into place, and I hope our catchers play well.
“As an offense, we have to step it up, too. We have to have better at-bats late in games, in the later innings. I think we have the potential to do all of that, but time will tell. But I know I’m ready to compete, and I know the rest of these guys are too. So it’s going to be fun.”
Big-game Freeland. Left-hander says getting the call to be the opening-day starter is an honor and a big deal. Pressure? Sure, there will be plenty of that Thursday against the Marlins, but his experience in last season’s wild-card playoff victory over the Cubs should serve him well. Freeland, pitching on three days’ rest, held the Cubs to no runs on four hits, while striking out six and walking one over 6⅔ innings.
“That was a one-and-done situation, so there was a lot on the line,” Freeland said. “You can’t prepare for that until you are in it. But in that game, I was able to find my quiet places on the mound, and I stuck to my breathing routine. And we stuck to our game plan and it worked.
“I think all of that is going to help me going forward, including in the opener. I feel like I’m now able to prepare for any big moment or high-pressure situation.”
Miami vice. Colorado — especially its offense — has not fared well in South Florida. Since Marlins Park opened in 2012, the Rockies are 7-17 here. Their only winning series came in 2013. Last year, they were 1-2 at Marlins Park, scoring just two runs over the three-game series.
Arenado, in particular, has struggled. He’s batted .184 (14-for-76) with two homers and seven RBIs. On Aug. 12, 2017, he was ejected by umpire Pat Hoberg for throwing his bat after being called out on a check swing.
Footnotes. Freeland is the sixth opening-day starter who was originally drafted or signed by the Rockies, joining (2017-18), Jhoulys Chacin (2013), Ubaldo Jiménez (2010-11), Aaron Cook (2007, 2009) and Jason Jennings (2003, 2006). … Righty reliever DJ Johnson, 29, is the ninth player in Rockies history to make his first opening-day roster at age 29 or older. … Left-hander , counted on to be a multi-tasker in the bullpen, remains out with upper-back tightness. Righty Antonio Senzatela, who had hoped to win a job in the starting rotation, is still recovering from an infected blister on his right heel. Manager Bud Black said they are both making progress.
