Projected lineup
A projected look at the Rockies’ 25-man roster, which will become official Thursday morning:
CF Charlie Blackmon
2B DJ LeMahieu
3B Nolan Arenado
SS Trevor Story
RF Carlos Gonzalez
1B Ian Desmond
LF Gerardo Parra
C Chris Iannetta
RHP Jon Gray
BENCH: INF Pat Valaika, 1B Ryan McMahon, OF Mike Tauchman, C Tony Wolters STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Tyler Anderson, RHP German Marquez, RHP Chad Bettis, LHP Kyle Freeland
BULLPEN: RHP Wade Davis, RHP Bryan Shaw, LHP Jake McGee, LHP Chris Rusin, RHP Adam Ottavino, LHP Mike Dunn, RHP Scott Oberg, RHP Antonio Senzatela
Top five openers
The Rockies will open their 26th season Thursday at Arizona. Five openers stand out among the previous 25: 1. 1995 at Coors Field Rockies 11, Mets 9, (14)
It was plenty cold at first pitch, and the temperature dropped below freezing by the 14th inning, when Dante Bichette brought the Rockies back. With Colorado trailing 9-8, he yanked a three-run homer to give the Rockies a dramatic victory.
2. 2001 at Coors Field Rockies 8, Cardinals 0
Mike Hampton’s first game after signing a $121 million contract was a doozy debut in Denver, as he shut down St. Louis over 8L innings on just five hits, with five strikeouts.
3. 2016 at Chase Field Rockies 10, Diamondbacks 5 Colorado’s blowout victory came on a magnificent debut, as rookie shortstop Trevor Story slammed two home runs off Arizona ace Zack Greinke. Story hit seven homers in his first six games that year.
4. 2005 at Coors Field Rockies 12, Padres 10
A Coors Field special. The Rockies fell behind 10-8 but rallied in the ninth, including an RBI double by Cory Sullivan, and Clint Barmes hit a two-run, game-winning home run off San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman.
5. 2006 at Coors Field Rockies 3, D-backs 2, (11)
The Rockies trailed 2-1 in the eighth inning when Todd Helton doubled to tie it. In the 11th, Brad Hawpe dribbled a grounder to score Matt Holliday on a fielder’s choice.