“The ultimate goal is to bring consistent winning seasons to this organization,” Schaeffer said on the day he slipped off the interim tag and was officially named Rockies manager. “You’re going to see winning baseball in Denver a lot sooner than you think.”

Raise your hand if you were skeptical.

I don’t blame you. Three consecutive 100-loss seasons, topped off by last year’s 119-loss disaster, tend to squeeze the optimism out of even the most positive fans. But Scheaffer might be on to something.

Entering Sunday’s doubleheader vs. the Mets (Saturday’s game at Citi Field was rained out), the Rockies are 11-16. They have been solid at home (7-6), though predictably wobbly on the road (4-10). They are on pace to finish 66-96, which would be a 23-game improvement from last season. I picked the Rockies to lose 102 games, so they are exceeding my expectations — at least in the early going.

Some very early observations, questions, and predictions with 16.6% of the season in the books:

The bullpen has been excellent: Even with the Padres’ ninth-inning rally vs. Victor Vodnik last Thursday, the relievers have been the best thing about the Rockies this season. Colorado’s 3.77 ERA ranks 12th in the majors, and considering the Coors Field factor, that’s pretty good. Former starter Antonio Senzatela looks reborn. He’s given up two runs over 18 innings (0.50 ERA) with 18 strikeouts vs. four walks.

Is the bullpen’s excellence sustainable? History tells us no. The wear and tear of the season usually causes Rockies relievers to implode in August and September. Schaeffer and the front office are well aware of that history, which is a reason why we’re seeing Colorado use so many “bulk relievers.” Pitchers like Jimmy Herget, Chase Dollander and Senzatela have been purposely scheduled for multiple innings, with the hope that late-game relievers won’t be toast in August. We’ll see if it works.

Can Dollander become a true ace? Yes, he can. It’s not just that his stats — 2.88 ERA, .198 batting average against, 32 strikeouts vs. seven walks — but his demeanor, self-confidence, and easy power that give him a chance to be great. Of course, a true ace doesn’t have a reliever opening games for him, but I imagine that set up is going to change sooner rather than later.

Who’s a possible All-Star? Right now, the Rockies have two candidates — catcher Hunter Goodman (.264 average, .870 OPS, six homers) and outfielder Mickey Moniak (.315, 1.050, eight). But there are two caveats here. First, Goodman’s 37.3% strikeout rate is much too high. Second, Moniak has had hot streaks before. Can he be productive for a full season?

But wouldn’t it be cool if Moniak gets to play in the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia? Remember, the Phillies selected him with the first overall pick in the 2016 draft.

Ezequiel Tovar will play better: The shortstop has not played well thus far, at least not by his standards. His .967 fielding percentage ranks 10th in the majors, his 3.70 range factor is ninth, and his 0.0 DWAR ranks 23rd. His numbers will improve because he’s a talented, athletic shortstop who could still end up in the Gold Glove conversation.

However, Tovar looks lost at the plate right now, as evidenced by his .216/.255/.330 slash line that includes just one home run.  His strikeout rate is 28.4%, his walk rate is just 2.9%, and his chase rate is a very hight 48.5%. Those are reasons why he’s hitting low in Schaeffer’s lineup.

When Tovar hit .269 with 26 homers and 45 doubles in 2024, I thought he was just getting warmed up. It’s early, but he needs to become a more disciplined hitter to become the star so many envisioned.

What’s up with Brenton Doyle and Jordan Beck? There have been flashes that they could be pillars of the Rockies’ outfield for years to come. That’s not happening right now.

Beck isn’t getting on base consistently (.204 on-base percentage), so he’s not getting consistent playing time, which, in turn, is part of the reason why he’s hitting just .160 with one home run. He’s in no-man’s land right now. He might be a slow starter, but he’s going to need to earn more at-bats to climb out of his funk. That’s not easy in the big leagues.

Doyle is beginning to hit the ball hard again, and the Rockies need his defense in center field. But he’s striking out 35% of the time, and his track record shows he’s a streak hitter. Right now, he’s slashing .219/.288/.288 with one home run and a .143 average with runners in scoring position. The jury is still out on his future.

TJ Rumfield is a real find: The rookie first baseman is everything that former first baseman Michael Toglia was not. In Friday night’s win over the Mets, he put together a seven-pitch at-bat against Freddie Peralta with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Rumfield didn’t get a hit, but he grounded out and scored a run. He takes unselfish at-bats, which is not always easy for a rookie. He’s hitting a solid .292 (7 for 24) with runners in scoring position.

Major decisions loom for the front office: Paul DePodesta, president of baseball operations, has been progressive since taking over the front office — pitch-calling “suggestions” from the dugout, a lot of new people on staff, and beefing up the analytics department.

Former general manager Bill Schmidt was criticized for holding on to players and getting nothing in return. So I’ll be curious to see how many veteran starters DePodesta will put on the market as the Aug. 3 trade deadline comes into view. Right-handers Michael Lorenzen and Tomoyuki Sugano, and lefty Jose Quintana, are all pitching on one-year deals. Lorenzen has a $9 million club option for 2027, but I doubt the Rockies will pick it up. Senzatela is also in the final year of his contract.

The wild-card here is lefty Kyle Freeland, who’s in his 10th year with the Rockies. He’s pitched terrifically so far, but his stint on the injured list means his player option likely won’t kick in. He needs to pitch 170 innings for his $17,000 option to vest for 2027.

In a heart-in-your-throat, 4-3 victory over the Dodgers, Colorado relievers Brennan Bernardino, Jaden Hill, and Victor Vodnik combined to pitch 3 1/3 scoreless innings.

Vodnik pitched the ninth for his third save, but it didn’t come easily. Will Smith delivered a pinch-hit single for the Dodgers, and Shohei Ohtani singled to right, extending his on-base streak to 50 games. But Vodnik induced Kyle Tucker to pop out to left field, clinching the victory.

“Just attack and get ahead,” Vodnik said about facing Ohtani with the game on the line.

Before the four-game series with the Dodgers, Vodnik expressed his admiration for Ohtani, but also expressed belief in himself.

“That����ap going to be awesome to tell (my three daughters)I faced Shohei Ohtani,” he told The Post. “But for me, hopefully, he says, ‘I got to face Victor Vodnik.’ ”

The hard-throwing right-hander — who was unaware that Ohtani “Wee” Willie Keeler for the third-longest on-base streak in Dodgers franchise history (since 1900) — said he was not flustered when Ohtani hit his two-out single in the ninth.

“You just let it go, right away, and then you go after the next guy,” said Vodnik, who has not allowed an earned run over seven appearances (eight innings) in April, while going three-for-three on save opportunities.

Saturday marked the fourth time in the last five games that Colorado’s bullpen has not allowed a run, and its 0.68 ERA over that span has lowered the ‘pen’s overall ERA to 2.97.

“We’re nasty, man, the bullpen is nasty,” Vodnik said. “Everybody trusts everybody … and they pick each other up. And everybody throws friggin’ hard. And everybody gives different looks, so it makes it hard (on opponents), for sure.”

There was plenty of drama for an announced sellout crowd of 47,925, many of whom donned Dodger blue. Los Angeles loaded the bases in the eighth when Ohtani reached on catcher’s interference (Hunter Goodman was charged with an error), Tucker singled, and Teoscar Hernandez reached on a two-out walk by Hill. But Hill got the dangerous Max Muncy to tap a groundout to second base.

Crisis averted, high-fives in the dugout for Hill.

The Rockies took a 4-3 lead with a two-run sixth inning, finally coming through with the clutch hits that have eluded them so often. Goodman led off with a double, Ezequiel Tovar singled off the leg of reliever Will Klein, and Johnston drove them both in with a double to right-center.

Right-hander Ryan Feltner shook off a shaky beginning to give the Rockies what they needed: toughness and some needed length from a starter. Feltner pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, including two solo homers. Feltner struck out five and walked only one.

“Earlier in my career, here, I would have pressed and tried to do something different,” Feltner said. “But just knowing that stuff happens here, you have to know that just keeping our offense in it is really important. That was my main goal.”

For the historic record: Ohtani, the Dodgers superstar, went 0 for 3 vs. Feltner and is now 1 for 10 in his career vs. the right-hander.

Third baseman Kyle Karros rescued Feltner with a sensational play in the sixth. After Freddie Freeman scorched a two-out triple to left-center, Karros robbed Hernandez of extra bases with a diving stop and a perfect throw to first for the out. Hill then entered the game and fanned Muncy for the third out.

“Karros made a huge play — a game-saver,” manager Warren Schaeffer said.

Added Karros: “I was just reacting to the ball. It took me down the line, and I checked whether Freddie was running. He wasn’t, so I threw across the diamond.”

The Rockies got off to an inauspicious start. On the first pitch of the game, Ohtani hit a high chopper to Johnston behind first base. Johnston threw wildly to Feltner, running to cover the bag. Feltner appeared to tweak his back on the play but stayed in the game. He said after the game that his back was fine.

On the next pitch, Tucker ambushed Feltner’s 94.6 mph fastball, sending it over the right-center field wall for a 435-foot, two-run homer.

But Colorado shook off the punch. In the bottom of the frame, a double by Mickey Moniak, followed by an RBI single by rookie TJ Rumfield cut Los Angeles’ lead to 2-1.

L.A. extended its lead to 3-1 in the second on a Dalton Rushing homer off Feltner that barely crept into the right-field seats. The Rockies responded in their at-bat, combining a leadoff single and stolen base by Johnston with a sacrifice fly by Karros to slice the lead to 3-2.

Pitching probables

Sunday: Dodgers RHP Roki Sasaki (0-2, 6.63 ERA) at Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (1-2, 8.10), 1:10 p.m.

Monday: Dodgers LHP Justin Wrobleski (2-0, 2.12) at Rockies LHP Jose Quintana (0-1, 5.63), 6:40 p.m.

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: 850 AM & 94.1 FM

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The victory, buffered by Colorado’s shutdown bullpen, snapped Colorado’s six-game losing streak.

Dollander didn’t get the start — Colorado used Juan Mejia as an opener — but Dollander entered the game in the first inning, pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings, and struck out nine. He gave up one run and walked two. Dollander’s nine strikeouts tied a franchise record for the most strikeouts by a reliever. He tied Bruce Ruffin, who had nine Ks in relief on Sept. 14, 1993, the Rockies’ inaugural season.

Key Moments: There were multiple high-wire moments, to wit:

• In the sixth, Dollander issued a leadoff walk to Isaac Parades, and Carlos Correra ripped a double to left field off the glove of third baseman Kyle Karros. Dollander looked to be in deep trouble but kept his cool. He got the dangerous Christian Walker to ground out to short by using a nasty sinker. Then Dollander struck out Joey Loperfido and Cam Smith to end the threat.

• In the seventh, the Astros loaded the bases against right-hander Jaden Hill, but on a 2-2 count, Correa lined out softly to first baseman T.J. Rumfield and Colorado’s lead held.

• In the top of the seventh, Colorado loaded the bases with one out but failed to score. AJ Blubaugh struck out Goodman for the second out. Then Mickey Moniak hit a sharper grounder to the right side that looked like a two-run single, but Houston second baseman Jose Altuve made a brilliant, sliding grab and threw out Moniak.

• In the fifth, Hunter Goodman ripped a two-out double to center and Tyler Freeman attempted to score from first base. It seemed like a done deal, but Freeman was erased at the plate by catcher Yanier Dias after perfect throws from center fielder Taylor Trammell and Correa from short.

Who’s hot: Goodman (2 for 3 with a walk) hit a leadoff homer in the fourth inning, his fifth.

Freeman hit 3 for 5 and drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth. Freeman is batting .300.

Center fielder Brenton Doyle has run cold much of the season, but he hit 2 for 3, drew a walk, and stole two bases (he has five this season) and scored on Freeman’s single in the fifth to give Colorado its 3-2 lead.  Doyle raised his average by 26 points to .226.

Who’s not: Mejia failed to get out of the first inning. In two-thirds of an inning, he gave up two runs on two bloop hits, uncorked a wild pitch, and plunked Christian Walker. Dollander came to his rescue.

Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar has cooled down after a hot start. He went 0 for 4, and his average sits at .233.

Worth noting: The Rockies threatened to repeat some bad history, but managed to escape infamy. Colorado had gone winless on a road trip of at least seven games just twice in franchise history: Sept. 15-21, 2011, at San Francisco and San Diego, and June 25-July 1, 1999, at San Diego and at San Francisco.

Pitching probables

Friday: Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 4.00 ERA) at Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0, 2.16), 6:40 p.m.

Saturday: Dodgers RHP Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 6.60) at Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (1-1, 7.30), 6:10 p.m.

Sunday: Dodgers RHP Roki Sasaki (0-2, 6.23) at Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (1-2, 8.10), 1:10 p.m.

Monday: Dodgers LHP Justin Wrobleski (2-0, 2.12) at Rockies LHP Jose Quintana (0-1, 5.63), 6:40 p.m.

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA NewsRadio 850 AM & 94.1 FM

The Rockies wasted an early 3-0 lead and a two-homer performance by Hunter Goodman in a 7-6 loss to the Astros. Colorado, swept in four games in San Diego, has lost five consecutive games.

Credit Colorado for battling back. Down 7-3 at one point, Troy Johnston’s pinch-hit, RBI single scored a run in the eighth, cutting Houston’s lead to 7-6.

The Astros, swept in Colorado last week, snapped an eight-game losing streak.

Key moments: The Rockies had a chance to win the game in the ninth when TJ Rumfield and Ezequiel Tovar hit back-to-back, two-out, two-strike singles. However, Houston reliever Enyel De Los Santos struck out Jordan Beck looking to end the game.

The killer blow for the Rockies was the third, when Houston scored six runs on four hits, two errors by second baseman Willi Castro, and a balk by starter Michael Lorenezen.

Who’s hot: Goodman blasted two solo home runs, a solo blast in the first and another solo shot in the fifth. The catcher, Colorado’s lone All-Star last season, has four home runs this season. Dating back to last season, 21 of his 35 home runs have been hit on the road.

Starter-turn-reliever Antonio Senzatela pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings and has not been scored upon in five outings. He allowed two hits, walked none, and struck out three.

Who’s not: Lorenzen’s struggles continued. He pitched just 2 2/3 innings, and although he was only charged with two earned runs, the Astros plated seven runs against him, including a solo home run by Christian Walker in the second. Lorenzen, who has an 8.10 ERA, was called for a balk in the Astros’ six-run third inning.

Castro not only committed two costly errors in Houston’s big inning and also went 0 for 4 at the plate with three strikeouts. Castro’s strikeout rate is 41.4%.

Worth noting: Left-hander Kyle Freeland, who was a late scratch on Sunday because of a sore shoulder, continues to be evaluated. Manager Warren Scheaffer told reporters in Houston that the club hopes to have an update on Freeland on Wednesday.

Pitching probables

Wednesday: Rockies LHP Jose Quintana (0-0, 4.15 ERA) at Astros TBD, 6:10 p.m.

Thursday: Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0, 2.16) at Astros RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0, 5.87), 6:10 p.m.

Friday: Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 4.00) at Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (1-1, 7:30), 6:40 p.m.

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA NewsRadio 850 AM & 94.1 FM;

Colorado (6-9) wasted an early 4-0 lead, walked seven Padres batters, and lost, 9-5, at Petco Park. Four of the seven walks turned into runs.

Three consecutive losses to the Padres have erased the feel-good vibes from Colorado’s four-game winning streak.

Key moments: The Rockies led 4-3 in the fourth when starter Ryan Feltner gave up a one-out double to Miguel Andujar, a walk to Freddy Fermin, and a two-out, three-run home run to Ramon Laureano.

Colorado loaded the bases in the ninth, but San Diego super closer Jason Adam got Ezequiel Tovar to pop out to second, ending the game. Adam has yet to give up a run this season.

Who’s hot: Mickey Moniak, who started in right field and hit third, hit a two-run homer in the first and a solo homer in the third. He also drove in Ezequiel Tovar with a single in the eighth for his fourth home run of the night. Moniak has a team-leading four home runs.

Leadoff hitter and second baseman Edouard Julien is hitting .344 after a 2-for-3 night that included a solo home run and two walks.

Jordan Beck continues struggling at the plate (0 for 3, his average down to .103), but he made a sensational, running, leaping catch in left field to rob the Padres’ Nick Castellanos of a three-run homer in the first inning.

Who’s not: Starting pitcher Ryan Feltner was not sharp. He fell behind in counts, and it cost him, especially in the third inning when Manny Machado ambushed Feltner’s 3-0 fastball for a two-run homer. Feltner gave up seven hits and six runs over four innings as his ERA rose to 7.30.

Right-handed reliever Zach Agnos walked three straight batters — and walked in a run — in the sixth. He was charged with three runs (two earned) in 1 1/3 innings. His ERA rose to 7.56.

Worth noting: Right-hander German Marquez, the former Rockies All-Star, started for San Diego. The Rockies beat him up pretty good, hitting three homers, but he hung around for five innings and picked up the win.

Pitching probables

Sunday: LHP Kyle Freeland (1-1, 2.30 ERA) at Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (1-2, 5.54), 2:10 p.m.

Monday: Off day

Tuesday: Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (1-1, 9.00) at Astros TBD, 6:10 p.m.

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA NewsRadio 850 AM & 94.1 FM

Playing push-the-envelope baseball, combined with solid pitching and timely hitting, the Rockies beat the Astros 9-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Coors Field to polish off the three-game sweep. Last season, en route to 119 losses, the Rockies managed one sweep, taking three games in Miami from June 2-4.

And get this: The heretofore swing-happy Rockies had more walks (nine) than strikeouts (seven) for the first time since July 1, 2024, vs. Milwaukee, when they walked five times and struck out four times.

“We are playing in a ballpark that is like no other, right?” said All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman, who smacked a bonus solo home run in the fourth inning. “So, getting guys on base and in scoring position is huge. We’ve been doing that. When you get guys on base, you are going to score a lot of runs here.”

The irony here is that Wednesday’s announced crowd was 15,189, marking the lowest home attendance in franchise history, excluding pandemic-affected seasons. The previous low crowd came on Monday night, with an announced crowd of 16,301.

Starter Michael Lorenzen rebounded from his debacle against the Phillies in last Friday’s home opener — nine runs allowed on 12 hits, including two homers over three innings — to turn in a quality start. He allowed one run on seven hits across 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four, walked two, and sliced his ERA from 14.73 to 9.00.

Lorenzen credited the Rockies’ pitching coaches and analytics team for the turnaround.

“We have some smart people here, and we all put our heads together and tried to figure it out,” he said. “I have a lot of good data from today that we can build off of. It’s not all there yet, but it’s a good, good start.”

Manager Warren Schaeffer said he never doubted that Lorenzen would produce. Colorado signed the veteran right-hander to a one-year, $8 million contract that includes a $9 million club option for 2027. The Rockies need him to deliver.

“He located better today, and he had all of his pitches working,” Schaeffer said. “He was getting ahead in counts. He was big for us today … saving our bullpen.”

Colorado’s five-run second inning was a prime example of the Go-Go Rox style of baseball that Schaeffer has been preaching since spring training.

“That (inning) was fundamentally sound, with sac bunts involved, base-hit bunts involved, and sac flies involved,” Schaeffer said. “We were taking our walks — some really, really tough walks today.

“That’s what we want to do. We want to pass the baton; we want to execute with runners on third with less than two outs. That was very good today.”

The Rockies sent 10 men to the plate in the second, beginning with a leadoff double by Troy Johnston. Included in the track meet were a two-run single by Edoward Julien, a bunt single by Brenton Doyle, an RBI double by Ezequiel Tovar, a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Freeman, a sacrifice fly by Mickey Moniak, three walks, and two stolen bases.

Julien, who’s taking over the leadoff spot, went 5 for 12 with four RBIs during the three-game set.

Lorenzen wasn’t the only pitcher to rebound on Wednesday. Right-hander reliever Zach Agnos, who had allowed 11 hits combined over his last two outings and owned a 12.27 ERA coming in, pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out two.

“It started with (Lorenezen) today, but I just went out there and attacked the zone today,” Agnos said. “Pitching, like hitting, can be contagious. People have picked me up plenty of times, so it was fun to be able to pick them up.”

His biggest moment came in the sixth inning when he relieved Lorenzen with two outs and the bases loaded. He got Christian Vasquez to ground out to third.

“With the way we are playing, you want to get in on the fun,” Agnos said.

The Rockies take their momentum on the road beginning Thursday night when they open a four-game series against the Padres in San Diego.

“The attitude of this club is, every day, no matter where we are, we want to play good baseball,” Schaeffer said. “We are not going to make it a thing and worry about the road as opposed to home. We are just going to go to San Diego tomorrow and try to play a really good baseball game.”

Rolling Rox

The Rockies won their fourth consecutive game and completed a three-game sweep of the Astros on Wednesday. Not a big deal for most teams, but it was for the Rockies, who:
• Captured their first sweep at Coors Field since May 10-12, 2024, vs. the Rangers.
• Won a home series in April. Last season, they didn’t want their first home series until taking two of three from the Twins on July 18-20.
• Improved to 6-6, the latest in the season they’ve been .500 since 2022, when they were 17-17 on May 15.
• Have won four straight games, matching their longest winning streak of 2025, which they did twice.

Pitching probables

Thursday: Rockies TBD (opener) at Padres RHP at RHP Randy Vasquez (1-0, 0.75 ERA), 7:40 p.m.

Friday: Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0, 1.69) at Padres RHP Walker Beuhler (0-1, 9.45), 7:40 p.m.

Saturday: Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (1-0, 4.32) at Padres RHP German Marquez (1-1, 4.50), 6:40 p.m.

Sunday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-1, 2.30) at Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (1-2, 5.54), 2:10 p.m.

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

The duel featured Rockies veteran left-hander Kyle Freeland, a 2010 Thomas Jefferson High School graduate, vs. Blue Jays veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman, a 2011 Grandview High grad. Both pitchers dominated.

And don’t forget that reliever Tyler Rogers, a Colorado native who graduated from Chatfield High in 2009, pitched a scoreless seventh inning for Toronto.

But here’s the kicker you might not have seen coming: The Rockies beat the Blue Jays, 2-1, in 10 innings at the Rogers Centre to clinch the three-game series against the defending American League champions. The Rockies prevailed despite striking out 17 times.

“It was a great series for us, and we were in every single game,” Freeland told reporters in Toronto. “Our defense and pitching throughout this series have been fantastic. We were able to grind it all the way through 10 innings to get the W.”

Tyler Freeman, fresh off the injured list and stepping to the plate for the first time this season, scorched a pinch-hit single off Toronto lefty Brendon Little to drive in automatic runner Brenton Doyle from second with the go-ahead run in the 10th.

After losing three one-run games to open the season in Miami, the Rockies suddenly have a slice of momentum.

“We were in every single one of those games (in Miami),” Freeman told Rockies.TV after Colorado finished their opening road trip with a 2-4 record. “That’s who we are this year. We are going to be gritty, and we are going to go to the last out of every game.”

Gausman was nearly untouchable for six innings, allowing no runs and two hits while striking out 10 with no walks. He was perfect through four innings before shortstop Ezequiel Tovar hit a leadoff single in the fifth after an 11-pitch battle.

After two starts this season, Gausman has a 0.75 ERA and has whiffed 21. Gausman, 35, is the only pitcher since 1900 to strike out 10 or more and walk none in each of his first two starts of a season.

But Freeland nearly matched him: five innings, one run allowed on five hits with  6 Ks and one walk.

While the split-finger-throwing Gausman was barely pressed, Freeland was stressed to the max in Toronto’s one-run third inning. He gave up an RBI single to Davis Schneider and then plunked Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to load the bases. But Freeland punched out cleanup hitter Kazuma Okamoto and got Alejandro Kirk to line out to second to snuff the rally.

“Gausman was good, and Freeland matched him,” Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer told reporters. “Freeland was gutsy, getting through that bases-loaded jam. He kept it right where we needed him to. ‘Free’ gave us everything he had.”

Freeland, who’s beginning his 10th season with the Rockies, had all of his pitches working.

“My fastball didn’t feel great in the ‘pen, but I found it out on the game mound,” said Freeland, who threw 60 of his 88 pitches for strikes. “Every pitch in the arsenal was working, especially my sweeper and curveball. They were my bread and butter today, along with my fastball. I was able to get a lot of weak contact and a lot of swing and miss.”

Freeland tipped his cap to Freeland.

“‘Free’ is our captain, and we’re behind him every step of the way,” he said. “He was unbelievable on the mound. Once he gets going, you see all of us get going.”

The Rockies are off on Thursday before hosting the Phillies on Friday afternoon in the home opener at Coors Field.

“I can’t wait,” Schaeffer said. “We have been waiting months for this, to get back home to Denver and the blue sky at Coors Field.”

Pitching probables

Thursday: Off day

Friday: Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (0-0, 5.40 ERA) at Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (0-0, 6.22), 2:10 p.m.

Saturday: Phillies LHP Jesus Luzardo (0-1, 9.00) at Rockies LHP LHP Jose Quintana (0-0, 4.15), 6:10 p.m.

Sunday: Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker (0-1, 11.57) at Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (0-0, 1.93), 1:10 p.m.

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

Despite landing in Toronto at 3 a.m. after their flight was delayed by nearly six hours in Miami, the Rockies beat up the defending American League champions, 14-5, rapping out 17 hits. After getting swept by the Marlins in three one-run games, Colorado needed a laugher.

Key Moments: There were many in the Rockies’ seven-run sixth inning, but the sparkplug was a two-run, 423-foot homer by right fielder Troy Johnston that started the avalanche of runs. The inning included two-run doubles by Willi Castro and Ezequiel Tovar.

Who’s hot: First baseman TJ Rumfield hit 3 for 5 and drove in two runs, upping his early-season average to .357. Tovar also hit 3 for 5, drove in three runs, and made a brilliant play at short in the sixth inning.

Braxton Fulford hit 2 for 3 and launched a solo homer off Tyler Heineman in the ninth. Heineman, a catcher, was called on as an emergency pitcher for the final two innings after the game got out of hand.

Who’s not: Hard-throwing right-hander Chase Dollander, designated to the bullpen at the end of spring training, got hit hard in his first appearance of the season. He gave up four runs on five hits, including three home runs in four innings of work.

Worth noting: Colorado’s victory was just the second in franchise history in Toronto. They entered Monday’s game 1-11 all-time at Rogers Centre. The Rockies’ rout was a teeny-tiny measure of revenge for last season’s debacle at Coors Field, when the Blue Jays swept three games in what was the worst series of the season for the Rockies. The Rockies allowed 45 runs, 63 hits, and 13 homers during the series, each of which was their most in a three-game set in club history.

Pitching probables

Tuesday: Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (0-2, 4.75 in 2025) at RHP Max Scherzer (5-5, 5.19 in 2025), 5:07 p.m.

Wednesday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (0-1, 4.15) at Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (0-0, 1.50), 11 a.m.

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That, after finishing 18-63 on the road last season, the worst road record in the majors and the most road losses in a season in franchise history.

Key moments: The Marlins won the game in the eighth when Otto Lopez singled to right, stole second, and scored on Owen Caissie’s RBI single. Cassie was 3 for 4.

Colorado starter Michael Lorenzen (4 1/3 innings, three earned runs on seven hits, four strikeouts, no walks) made one crucial mistake, throwing a misplaced fastball to Liam Hicks, who clobbered it for a two-run homer in the fifth, tying the game 3-3.

Who’s hot: Colorado rookie first baseman TJ Rumfield hit a solo homer in the second off Marlins right-hander Eury Perez. It was Rumfield’s first big-league home run. Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar blasted a two-run homer to left in the fourth to give the Rockies a short-lived 3-1 lead.

Who’s not: The Rockies’ offense went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. Center fielder Brenton Doyle went 0 for 3 with a walk and has opened the season 0 for 7.

Pitching probables

Sunday: Rockies LHP Jose Quintana (11-7, 3.96 ERA with Brewers in 2025) at Marlins RHP Max Meyer (3-5, 4.73 in 2025), 11:40 a.m.

Monday: Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (10-10, 4.64 with Orioles in 2025) at Blue Jays RHP Cody Ponce (0-6, 7.04 ERA with Pirates in 2021),  5:07 p.m.

Tuesday: Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (0-2, 4.75 in 2025) at RHP Max Scherzer (5-5, 5.19 in 2025), 5:07 p.m.

TV: Rockies.TV
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If my informal eight-man panel is correct, the Rockies will join Gil Hodges, Don Lock, and Claude Osteen in an infamous chapter in major league history. Hodges was the manager, Lock was the best hitter, and Osteen was the best pitcher for the 1964 Washington Senators. losing 100 or more games for the fourth consecutive season.

No major league team has done that since. But the 2026 Rockies will, at least according to my panelists.  Add up their predictions, divide by eight, and you get a 59-103 record.

I’ll start. I’m encouraged by the long-overdue front-office shuffle led by new team president Walker Monfort. And I’m intrigued by young players like third baseman Kyle Karros and Charlie Condon. But the reality for this season is that the starting pitching is still too thin over the long haul, and the offense too punchless to improve by 20 games over their 119-loss 2025 season.

Saunders’ prediction: 60-102.

Sean Keeler, Denver Post columinst

The season highlight might well be those long-overdue statue unveilings for Todd Helton and Larry Walker. Beyond that? Meh. The best thing about 2026 for the Rox is also the worst: The record won’t mean much. It’s a free hit for Paul DePodesta and Josh Byrnes. A honeymoon year. A transition year. A throw-everything-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks year. It would be great to give a long-abused fan base some good vibes before Dick Monfort and his fellow Lords of the Realm torpedo 2027, but I wouldn’t count on it.

Keeler’s prediction: 62-100.

Kyle Newman, Denver Post sportswriter

The Fightin’ Rox will be better in 2026, but they are attempting to climb out of the abyss. This is going to take years to get competitive again, so book a fourth consecutive 100-loss season.

The starting pitching will be better, but the Rockies’ depth at that critical position remains thin. After an inevitable injury or two to starting pitchers, the season will unravel quickly. Also, the Rockies won’t hit for enough power once again, even though they’ll play better at home. Look for 2027 to be a true turning point year where Colorado can perhaps sniff a win total in the 70s.

Newman’s prediction: 60-102

Nate Peterson, Denver Post sports editor

Looking for a purple-and-silver lining for 2026, Rockies fans? Here it is: Colorado’s hard-luck MLB franchise will again be the worst team in baseball, but it will somehow, someway avoid the historical ignominy of four-straight 100-loss seasons.

No, Ted Lasso isn’t the skipper, but the arrival of Paul DePodesta, the addition of some crafty veterans on the mound and the development of young talent on the field will be enough to avoid the century mark for losses. The Rockies won’t be the 1962 Phillies, who improved by an MLB-best 34 wins. But they’ll be 20 wins better, which will feel like a miracle. 

Peterson’s prediction: 63-99

Troy Renck, Denver Post columnist

The Rockies will be terrible, but a light will replace an incoming train at the end of the tunnel. With a veteran starting rotation, improved health of shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle, and a versatile lineup that strikes out less, the Rockies will look like a major league team again. That is not meant as a backhanded compliment, but an indictment of the past regime. As the use of analytics and improved coaching takes hold as prospects develop, hope will return.

Renck’s prediction: 60-102

Jorge Castillo, ESPN baseball writer

Will they flirt with the wrong kind of history again?

Colorado finally hit the front-office reset button, hiring longtime executive Paul DePodesta as president of baseball operations to replace general manager Bill Schmidt to course-correct. … DePodesta didn’t overhaul the roster over the winter, instead signing four players to contracts of one or two years and making minor trades. The Rockies will look to avoid disaster.

Keith Law, national baseball writer, The Athletic

I have the Rockies finishing with the worst record in baseball again, but winning 11 more games, and I’m not sure how strongly I can even defend that other than to say that it����ap very hard to be 119-loss bad two years in a row. They do have new people calling the shots in the front office, including Paul “The Revenant” DePodesta, and I expect some gains on the margins, but they’re going to need more than an Ezequiel Tovar breakout to get back to even 60 wins this year.

Dan Szymborski, FanGraphs baseball writer

If another NL West team shocks the Dodgers, it won’t be wearing purple-and-black.