The Colorado Rockies open the season today against the Milwaukee Brewers, the start of a three-game stand on the road.
The team's outlook is very similar to last year: If superstar shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and slugger Carlos Gonzalez can stay healthy, and young pitchers perform up to their potential, the team can expect some success. But if not, the Rockies are headed for a fifth straight losing season.
Tulowitzki and Gonzalez have both been injury prone in the past; they respectively appeared in only 91 and 70 of the team's 162 games last year.
As the season starts, most experts predict the team will finish with one of the worst records in Major League Baseball.
But there are still things fans can get excited about, according to Drew Creasman, a staff writer at Purple Row. Creasman tells CPR's Pat Mack that third baseman Nolan Arenado, who's just shy of his 24th birthday, could emerge as the best third baseman in baseball.
"He's one of the fastest rising stars in the game," Creasman says. "The fact that we maybe haven't even seen the best that Arenado has to offer should scare the rest of the league."
Creasman is also excited about the team's new general manager, Jeff Bridich. His predecessor, Dan O'Dowd, had four winning seasons and two postseason appearances in 15 years at the helm.
The Rockies play their first game at Coors Field on Friday. Hear Creasman's conversation with CPR's Pat Mack by clicking "Listen" above.
Guest:
- Drew Creasman, staff writer at Purple Row
