Tampa Bay Rays look to break out in Colorado against the Rockies

Seven games into the 2024 MLB season, the Tampa Bay Rays find themselves with a 3-4 record after series at Tropicana Field against the Toronto Blue Jays and defending World Series champion Texas Rangers. They currently sit at the bottom of the AL East standings with the Blue Jays, as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles have all gotten off to hot starts with records above .500.

However, the remainder of April has favorable opponents for the Rays to play. This includes this weekend's series against the Colorado Rockies. The team will travel to Coors Field to play its first series on the road. For the Rockies, it is their first time playing at home this season.

It has been a rough start to the year for Colorado. They currently sit at 1-6 overall following a series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and then were on the wrong end of a sweep against the Chicago Cubs. The Rockies also have the worst run differential in the league at -34.

The Tampa Bay offense can really use this weekend series in Denver to tune up more, as the Colorado pitching has been at the bottom of major league baseball. The Rockies rank last in the league in hits allowed per nine and they give up the second most home runs per nine. The home run woes are concerning, too, considering they have not played in Coors Field yet, where the ball is known to travel. Their pitching staff also has the worst ERA in all of baseball.

The Rays have not been the worst hitting team in baseball, but they have hung around the middle of the pack in most categories like hits, RBI, and home runs. This Colorado series can give the team an opportunity to break out.

First pitch of Game 1 at Coors between Tampa Bay and Colorado will be Friday, April 5, at 4:10 p.m. E.T.