Revamped Freeland Set For Opener

From the desk of Steve Gilbert/MLB.com

The Rockies and D-backs will get the 2024 season underway against each other on March 28 at Chase Field.

The D-backs are coming off an 84-win season in which they qualified for the postseason by a single game, then went on a magical run to the World Series before losing to the Rangers in five games.

The Rockies, meanwhile, are looking to rebound from the first 100-loss season in franchise history. The D-backs used a number of young homegrown players in their run to the World Series last year, and the Rockies are banking on some of the young talent they have to get back to their winning ways.

LHP Kyle Freeland is in line for his third Opening date Stars. He also earned the assignment in 2019 and 2022 with the Rockies. Freeland is coming off a 6-14 season in which he compiled a 5.03 ERA in his 29 starts.

Freeland, 30, reported to Spring Training a different pitcher from last year, when he struggled through a notable drop in fastball velocity, and fell victim to poor run support when he pitched well.

The Denver native was able to bring his fastball velocity back to the level of 2017-18, when he was part of two Rockies teams that made the postseason, because of shoulder maintenance over the offseason. A career-long search for the proper changeup grip has yielded results as well. Through four Cactus League starts, he has 14 strikeouts to just one walk.