The Rockies are enduring one of the worst seasons in modern MLB history. After a 21-0 annihilation at the hands of the Padres, they’ve matched the infamous 6-33 start of the 1988 Orioles. Their projected -557 run differential could become the worst ever. Colorado is adrift, sinking under performance failures, front office decisions, injuries, and long-term uncertainty.
The Colorado Rockies have officially reached the abyss—and they’re still falling. Their 21-0 loss to the San Diego Padres at Coors Field wasn’t just humiliating; it was historic. The scoreboard told the story, but the numbers behind it were even worse.
With that defeat, the Rockies dropped to 6-33, tying the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the worst 39-game start in the modern era. Even the infamous 2024 White Sox—owners of the worst full-season record in MLB history—started 11-28.
A Night That Made History
The game unraveled from the opening pitch. Rookie Bradley Blalock was shelled: 3.2 innings, 13 hits, 12 earned runs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout, 87 pitches. His ERA now stands at 12.94 through five appearances.
Reliever Juan Mejía followed, allowing 7 runs (4 earned) in just 1.1 innings. Together, they absorbed a relentless attack that included 5 home runs.
Fernando Tatis Jr. launched a three-run blast. Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, Jason Heyward, and Gavin Sheets also homered, each finishing with 3 RBIs.
But the spotlight was on Stephen Kolek, who tossed a nine-inning shutout with five hits in just his second career start. According to Opta Stats, he became the first pitcher since the 1889 Cincinnati Red Stockings to record a nine-inning shutout while his team scored 20 or more runs.
The 21-0 win ties for the third-largest shutout margin since 1900. Only the Pirates (22-0 vs. Cubs in 1975) and Indians (22-0 vs. Yankees in 2004) have delivered worse beatings.
A Pattern of Collapse
This wasn’t an outlier. In their last six games, the Rockies have surrendered:
- 9 runs (May 6)
- 8 runs (May 7)
- 10 and 11 runs in a doubleheader (May 8)
- 13 runs (May 9)
- 21 runs (May 10)
They’ve allowed 85 runs in May’s first 9 games—more than the Padres allowed in all of April (83). They’ve lost eight straight, each by 8+ runs.
Their current run differential is -134, on pace for -557, which would become the worst in modern MLB history:
| Rank | Team | Run Differential |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2025 Rockies | -557 |
| 2 | 1932 Red Sox | -345 |
| 3 | 1932 Athletics | -344 |
| 4 | 2023 Athletics | -339 |
| 5 | 2003 Tigers | -337 |
This is not just failure—it’s historically rare futility.
A Leadership Void
 |
| Bill Schmidt general manager of the Colorado Rockies along with manager Bud Black |
General manager Bill Schmidt remains optimistic, though his words now feel disconnected from reality:
“I think we can turn it around, but it’s going to take a whole group to do it,” he told The Denver Post.
“I know we are better than we’ve played, but we’re not good right now. We have to battle through it.”
Even after three straight last-place finishes and no winning season since 2018, Schmidt defends manager Bud Black:
“The guys are working hard. I don’t think we’re at the point of firing the manager. There’s still belief in what we’re doing.”
But belief won’t fix deep-rooted structural problems:
- The farm system ranks just 18th via MLB Pipeline.
- Top prospect Chase Dollander, already in the majors, has a 7.71 ERA.
- Kris Bryant, the $182 million man, remains injured with a degenerative back condition, hasn’t posted an above-average OPS+ since 2021, and has landed on the IL nine times since 2022.
A Hopeless Outlook
While other teams rebuild with purpose or compete with urgency, the Rockies are doing neither. There’s no vision, no momentum—only inertia.
Veteran Kyle Freeland, a hometown product, nearly broke down in tears when asked about the team’s state. That said everything: this is no longer just a slump—it’s a soul-crushing collapse.
Following the 2025 Rockies is no longer just frustrating.
It’s emotional labor.
And there’s no clear end in sight.