Colorado Rockies game no. 49 thread: Kyle Freeland vs. Jacob deGrom

Fifty-five days after the 2021 MLB campaign started, Kyle Freeland will make his season debut on Tuesday night when the Rockies, who have won four games in a row, take on the Mets.

Freeland strained his shoulder in a spring training game on March 23. In two starts in Triple-A Albuquerque, Freeland posted a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings pitched. He had a 67.6 percent ground ball rate (23/34), struck out four, posted only two walks, and gave up a total of four hits, all singles.

Rockies pitching coach Steve Foster told the Denver Post’s Kyle Newman that Freeland’s arm is ready to go: “If he’s managed his pitches and he’s under 90 pitches and he’s in the sixth or seventh inning, that would be great. Anything above that would be really great. That’s what we expect and that’s what we’ve built up to, and so far, he looks like (a 100% healthy) Kyle Freeland.”

Further enticing Freeland’s return is that he is going to face off against New York ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, who is also returning from an injury. On May 9, deGrom left a game with tightness in his right side. deGrom has posted a ridiculous stat line so far this season with a 0.68 ERA and 0.60 WHIP in six starts. One of those includes a start in a doubleheader against the Rockies at Coors Field on April 17 when deGrom held the Rockies scoreless for five innings before giving up three runs including a homer to Raimel Tapia and a triple to Dom Nuñez in the sixth inning. He registered 14 strikeouts, but left the game with the Mets trailing 3-12 New York rallied back with two runs in the seventh to win 4-3.

The Rockies social media team put this little highlight reel together to help fans get even more excited.

Here’s to what could be a very fun pitching duel.

First Pitch: 5:10 P.M. MDT

TV: AT&T Sports Net Rocky Mountain; MLB.tv

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Lineups: