The main goal for the Colorado Rockies coming into this season was clear. The Rockies were still going to be rebuilding, but needed to show clear progress from the disaster of last season. That’s a pretty low bar to clear, but they have cleared it nonetheless. Last season, on June 25, the Rockies were 18-62 following an 8-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. This year, they are 32-49 as of June 25, a marked improvement.
The Rockies finished 74-87 in 2021, but were dominant at home and a very fun team to watch. Going from 119 losses to 87 in one season would be an incredible achievement. It’s too early to say that, but these Rockies are showing they might have a bit of that 2021 team in them.
What Is the Ceiling This Season?
The Rockies are just a few games off the pace of the 2021 team. On June 26, 2021, the Rockies were 31-46. Although they were dominant at home that season, they were brutal on the road, going 26-54. So far this season, they are 18-22 at home and 14-27 on the road.
They are already more than halfway to surpassing their paltry home and road records of 25-56 and 18-63 last season, respectively. The Rockies did not win a single home series in the first half last season. This season, they have won five home series already, including a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros in April. They are heating up at Coors as well, winning four of their last five home series. All while possessing the worst record in Major League Baseball, much to the chagrin of the Boston Red Sox’s broadcasting crew following consecutive late-inning collapses that resulted in Colorado winning the series.
Seeing the frustration of opposing teams losing to these Rockies sparked a reminder of the lovable 2021 team. Those Rockies were lucky if they avoided a sweep on the road, but became world beaters at home. That season, they incredibly had a better home record by three games over the 95-67 Milwaukee Brewers! They consistently won series at home against teams well above them in the standings. These Rockies have still largely struggled against the upper echelon of the league at home. But the more confidence this group gets, the more it feels like no opposing team will be safe playing at Coors.
Establishing New Culture Under Schaeffer
It was clear early on that Colorado giving Warren Schaeffer the full-time manager gig was the right decision. The 41-year-old connects with the roster very well and coached a lot of the current players while he was the manager of the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes, in 2021-22. He knows this organization very well, having spent six years playing in Colorado’s minor league system. While going through the difficulties of last season, it was apparent that it was personal for Schaeffer to get the Rockies back to winning baseball.
They may still be 17 games under .500, but their future potential is apparent. The Rockies are having fun again, establishing a new team culture, led by the likes of exciting young players in Troy Johnston and TJ Rumfield, among others, who have added some much-needed pop and energy to the Rockies lineup.
The Resilient Rockies
It is the most exciting offense the Rockies have had in years, and they are a resilient club. When you combine a hungry Rockies team with a solid offense at Coors, that’s where Colorado can thrive. The recent series vs the Boston Red Sox from June 22-24 is the perfect example.
In game one, the Red Sox led 2-0 through eight innings. The Rockies ran themselves out of the eighth inning and would have to face Aroldis Chapman in the ninth. But Rumfield and Hunter Goodman both singled to begin the ninth.
Cole Carrigg then reached on a bunt single, and Jake McCarthy tripled to bring all three runners home in a thrilling walk-off victory. It was so reminiscent of the Rockies when they are at their best. The lineup can be shut down for eight innings. But you are never out of a game at Coors and if the leadoff batter reaches in the ninth, all bets are off for even a closer the caliber of Chapman, who came in with a minuscule 0.83 ERA and 14 saves in 14 chances.
POV you watched another Coors Field walk-off 👏 pic.twitter.com/O5Pc3W6eoH
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 23, 2026
Returning To Winning Ways at Coors
One of the most exciting aspects of that 2021 team was the number of walk-offs they had. Ranking fourth in the league with 10 walk-offs during the regular season, per Screwball.com. This season, Colorado has four walk-offs so far after only having four all of last season. Walk-offs are arguably the most exciting play in baseball, and there are surely more to come at 20th and Blake this season.
But the thrills during the latest home stand did not stop with McCarthy’s walk-off. In the rubber match on Wednesday, the Rockies were down 3-0 and 6-3. But the Rockies responded with five runs during the seventh and eighth innings to hand the Red Sox another crushing loss. It has to be noted that neither of these comebacks is completed without scoreless outings by Jimmy Herget and Antonio Senzatela, the latter of which is currently a stellar 8-0 with a 2.13 ERA in 42 1/3 innings.
Colorado’s bullpen has been far from perfect, but the Rockies have received solid performances this season from several of their high-leverage relievers. Colorado’s offense has also been a firewall of sorts for their struggling starting rotation.
Colorado has consistently faced deficits early in games but managed to battle back on several occasions. Coming out on top in Coors Field classics. But they have also managed to win close, low scoring games at home as well, winning three one-run games vs the Pittsburgh Pirates and Red Sox during their latest homestand. Winning a variety of ways at home is something the 2021 team excelled at. This year’s club has shown they can win multiple ways at home too, and are starting to pile wins together at Coors.
These Rockies Can Play Spoiler
Judging by several opposing MLB fanbases’ reactions following series losses in Colorado, it is the worst thing that can happen to your club. They’ll be forgiven for thinking that way, however, as Colorado was largely non-competitive last season and historically bad. But take it from the Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates fan bases, underestimate these Rockies at your own peril.
Even though they were never in contention for the postseason in 2021, their dominance at home, especially against contending teams, made for very entertaining baseball. After all, when your team isn’t contending, playing spoiler is the next best thing.
Matching the 2021 home record of 48-33 is a stretch, but that’s not needed. They were 43-119 last year and 18-63 at home! It does however feel like this Rockies team will easily finish above .500 at home at the very least. Nevertheless, they have already made significant progress from last season and thankfully look a lot more like the 2021 iteration of the Rockies then 2025.
Main Photo Credit: Troy Babbitt-Imagn Images
