The Colorado Rockies face off against the Kansas City Royals in a critical matchup as both teams seek to improve their early-season standings. The Rockies snapped an eight-game losing streak with a recent victory against the Nationals, showcasing Antonio Senzatela's impressive performance. Conversely, the Royals are struggling, having lost six of their last seven games, including a disappointing series against the Tigers.

Ryan Feltner takes the mound for the Rockies, aiming to build on his previous outings, though his ERA of 4.82 indicates room for improvement. On the other side, Kris Bubic has been a bright spot for the Royals with a low 1.88 ERA, making him a formidable opponent. Betting odds suggest the Royals are favored, but the Rockies' recent win could add an interesting dynamic to this game.

The 2025 MLB season is officially underway, with predictions for all 30 teams aimed at stirring the pot. Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks is expected to join the elite 20-triple club, while the Athletics, despite a rough past season, are projected to be surprisingly competitive and sit in a postseason spot by July. In Atlanta, young catcher Drake Baldwin could take over the starting role from Sean Murphy due to an injury, potentially reshaping the Braves’ roster dynamics.

Heston Kjerstad may be traded by the Baltimore Orioles for a starting pitcher as he remains blocked in the current lineup. The Red Sox are boldly expected to hit a grand slam on Opening Day after failing to do so last season. Star prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong could earn an MVP vote, and the White Sox might avoid the worst record in the league despite a dismal outlook.

The Cincinnati Reds hope Elly De La Cruz will reduce his strikeouts, while the Guardians might finally see two outfielders hit 20 home runs in a season. The Rockies and Tigers are eyeing significant strides, while the Astros hope Jose Altuve can adapt to left field. In Kansas City, Bobby Witt Jr. is predicted not to lead the Royals in home runs, a bold assumption given his star potential.

The Colorado Rockies have made significant roster changes by non-tendering second baseman Brendan Rodgers and right-handed pitcher Cal Quantrill, making both players free agents. This decision comes just before the MLB's non-tender deadline and frees up approximately $15 million from the Rockies' 2025 payroll.

Rodgers, a former Gold Glove winner, had a solid bounce-back season in 2024, hitting .267 with 13 home runs. Quantrill, acquired from the Cleveland Guardians, was a reliable starter but did not meet expectations in terms of performance.

Several Major League Baseball players are poised for salary arbitration, with 29 players eligible after two to three years of service time. Notable names include Boston's Jarren Duran and Kutter Crawford, along with Seattle's George Kirby and Tampa Bay's Shane Baz.

The eligibility cutoff has been adjusted to 2 years and 132 days of service, impacting players like Washington's Michael Rucker and Atlanta's Angel Perdomo. The arbitration process will see proposed salaries exchanged on January 9, with hearings scheduled for late January to mid-February.

Bud Black, at 67, is eager to return for another season with the Colorado Rockies despite recent struggles. With a successful history in baseball, including two World Series rings, Black believes the team's talent is improving.

He highlights the potential of the pitching staff and the promising young talent in the bullpen, while acknowledging the need for offensive improvement. Black is committed to fostering individual player development to enhance the team's overall performance.