Rangers vs Rockies MLB Pick: DeGrom Makes 1st Spring Start for Texas (Mar 7)

• The Texas Rangers (5-7) visit the Colorado Rockies (10-3) in Scottsdale, AZ
• Rangers ace Jacob deGrom makes his first start of the spring
• The Rockies have surprisingly won 10 of their first 13 and hope to make a dramatic improvement in 2025

The Rangers’ season hinges on their older players returning to form and their younger players rising to the occasion. No player exemplifies the “if this/then that” nature of Texas’ season than two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom. He makes his first start in Scottsdale against the Rockies.

The Rockies had the worst record in the National League in 2024. Only the White Sox saved them from having MLB‘s worst record. They made few moves over the winter. Veterans Charlie Blackmon (retired) and Brendan Rodgers (left as a free agent) are gone. They have started hot in the spring winning 10 of 13.

DeGrom’s Return Will Be Key For a Rangers Resurgence

The Rangers went all in in 2023 to win the World Series. In 2024, injuries and the figurative hangover from that championship led to a 78-84 season. Now, they are trying to return to contention.

A key will be their veteran starting pitcher Jacob deGrom. He missed much of the 2024 season after Tommy John surgery, making only three token appearances in September. His injury history is long. He will be 37 in June. Expectations should be muted significantly.

Texas’ new acquisitions on offense have been performing well this spring. Nick Ahmed is batting .333 with 3 homers; Jake Burger is at .286 with 2 homers; Kyle Higashioka is batting .357 with 2 homers. Joc Pederson is struggling at .157 but has homered twice.

Rockies Start Former 1st-Round Pick Chase Dollander

Not much is expected from the Rockies in 2025, especially in a division with the Dodgers, Giants, Padres, and Diamondbacks. But they have started spring training at 10-3. It is nearly impossible to accurately gauge a team’s prospects based on spring training, but it’s certainly better than the alternative of losing 10 of 13.

Former ninth-overall pick Chase Dollander makes his third start of the spring.

The 23-year-old has a 7.20 ERA, surrendering 5 runs on 5 hits. Four were earned and he’s given up 3 home runs. He has struck out 7 in 5 innings.

Colorado’s Nick Martini has started the spring hot batting .375 with 2 homers. Michael Toglia is at .318 with 2 homers. Sean Borchard is batting .400. Veteran Kris Bryant is batting .250 in 12 at-bats with 1 homer. At least he hasn’t gotten injured…yet.

Rangers vs Rockies Pick: Colorado Will Maintain Its Hot Spring

While it is notable that deGrom is starting for Texas, he will not be in the game that long. The Rockies are hitting well and Dollander will want to impress in a game that will garner massive attention due to deGrom being on the hill for the Rangers. Colorado will keep its surprising spring going.