Rockies tap Freeland for another Opening Day start

So much has changed for the Rockies from this time last year: lineup, rotation organizational philosophy. Kyle Freeland has not. And Freeland on the mound to start the regular season remains a constant, too.

For the fourth-consecutive year and fifth time overall, Freeland will get the Opening Day nod for the Rockies, receiving the call for the March 27 regular-season opener at Miami.

Our Opening Day 2026 starter ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HB0aTINMUC

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 17, 2026

Prior to the ongoing 2023-26 run, Freeland was the Opening Day starter in 2019 — also at Miami. He flourished that day, hurling 7 innings of 2-hit ball as the Rox opened that campaign with a 6-3 win.

Last year, near the opposite coast of Florida, Freeland dazzled in the season opener at Tampa Bay. Through three innings, he was perfect. After four innings, he’d faced the minimum number of batters. At the end of six innings, he’d yielded no runs, no walks and just two hits, and with 67 pitches appeared to have plenty left in the tank.

But that being the first start of the season, then-manager Bud Black was cautious. And when Freeland told him he was “a little winded,” Black turned to the bullpen. The result that followed was predictable.

Colorado lost the following day, as well, and never saw .500 in its franchise-worst season.

Now they hope their stalwart can get them off on the right foot — just as he did the last time he got an Opening Day start in Miami.

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