Unlocking the Unexpected Secret Behind [Article Topic] That Everyone’s Talking About

What’s going on with the Colorado Rockies? They’ve managed the worst start any Major League team has seen since 2003 — that’s nearly two decades of baseball history in the rearview mirror. And here’s the kicker: this slump follows hot on the heels of the Chicago White Sox’s historic 121-loss season just last year. It almost begs the question—are the Rockies trying to rewrite the record books for all the wrong reasons? With a mind-boggling 4-24 mark after 28 games, they’re actually two games worse than the White Sox’s start in 2024. Yet, if history holds any lessons, there might still be hope on the horizon, or at least some bittersweet irony in watching the Rockies claw their way out of this abyss. But as they gear up against formidable contenders, the real question remains—can Denver dodge a season that could rival Chicago’s infamy? Dive into the numbers, the near-misses, and the striking parallels that make this Rockies’ saga one you won’t want to blink at. LEARN MORE.
The pitching staff hasn’t been helped by the defense as the Rockies’ 23 errors have led to a major league-worst 20 unearned runs. Colorado is easily the worst team in MLB in defensive TRACR (run prevention; so pitching AND defense) at 1.83.

If the Colorado Rockies’ losing ways make you feel like you’ve been here before with bad teams in Major League Baseball, you don’t have to look back far.

The Rockies, mired in a seven-game losing streak that already is their third of at least six games, may challenge the White Sox’s record loss total. In fact, their 28-game start is the worst in 22 years and tied for the fifth-worst ever and the third worst of MLB’s modern era (since 1901).

It didn’t look so bad for the Rockies on opening day when starter Kyle Freeland fired six scoreless innings, but he’s 0-4 with a 5.93 ERA. Only two starters (Chase Dollander and Antonio Senzatela, who have both struggled) are in the win column.

The Colorado Rockies have the worst record of any major league team through 28 games since 2003. Considering it comes one year after the Chicago White Sox set the 162-game record with 121 losses, there’s reason to believe the Rockies may challenge that futility.

The ’24 ChiSox had a 5.10 ERA and .258 BAA through 28 games, numbers that improved to 4.67 and .255, respectively, by season’s end.

But a comparison of Colorado against the 2024 White Sox suggests a mile-low feeling will continue in Denver.

MLB: Lowest Win Percentage in First 28 Games (All Time)

The Rockies enter play against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday night with a 4-24 record, which is actually two games worse than the White Sox’s 6-22 start in 2024.

• T1. 2003 Detroit Tigers, .107 (3-25)  
• T1. 1988 Baltimore Orioles, .107 (3-25)  
• T1. 1894 Washington Senators, .107 (3-25)  
• T1. 1882 Baltimore Orioles, .107 (3-25)  
• T5. 2025 Colorado Rockies, .143 (4-24)  
• T5. 1936 St. Louis Browns, .143 (4-24)  
• T5. 1893 Louisville Colonels, .143 (4-24)  
• T5. 1884 Kansas City Unions, .143 (4-24)  
• T5. 1876 Cincinnati Red Stockings, .143 (4-24)  

Jordan Beck hit five home runs in a three-game stretch last week (all losses), but Hunter Goodman has been their top hitter with a .256 batting average, five homers and team highs of 14 RBIs, 15 runs and 10 extra-base hits.

For good measure, there’s often a team spiraling at the start: the 2022 Cincinnati Reds and the 2023 Oakland Athletics were both 5-23 through 28 games. But the Reds rebounded to finish above .500 that season and the Athletics didn’t even wind up with MLB’s worst record a year later.

Yeah, gulp.

Incredibly, the White Sox won five of their final six games last season, so their record loss total could have been worse (they finished with the fifth-worst winning percentage all time).

If there’s good news for ninth-year manager Bud Black’s Rockies, our TRACR projection model projects the Rockies to finish 46-116 and avoid having the most losses in a season.

This year’s Rockies could believe that with maturation, some of the worst is behind them. They were only one game better than the White Sox after 28 games last season – opening 7-21 – yet wound up 20 games better at 61-101 (still, the worst record in the National League).

The Chicago White Sox set the record for losses in a 162-game season just last year, finishing 41-121.

The 2024 White Sox, however, never got on track, with losing streaks of 14, 21 (tying an American League record) and 12 games after April on the way to their 121 defeats.

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The Rockies have been worse than the 2024 White Sox on the mound, ranked last in the majors this season in ERA (5.36 overall, but 6.53 among the starters) and batting average against (.295), and with the second-fewest strikeouts per game (6.82).

(Must have played 28 games; ties excluded)  

The light air at Coors Field would figure to help Colorado hitters, but the offense is ranked 28th in the majors in batting average (.212), on-base percentage (.286) and runs per game (3.29). The Rockies are 25th in offensive TRACR (minus-0.92).

The 2024 White Sox were a worse hitting squad to the start last season – .207 BA, .274 OBP and 2.75 runs on average through 28 games. Those numbers were .221, .278 and 3.13, respectively, for the season.

But following this week’s series against the red-hot Braves (eight wins in their last 10), the Rockies travel to the San Francisco Giants (19-10), then host the AL-leading Detroit Tigers (18-11) and the San Diego Padres (17-11).

The post How the Slow-Starting Rockies Compare to the 121-Loss White Sox of 2024 appeared first on Opta Analyst.
In fact, after the Braves, eight of the Rockies’ following nine series are against teams that enter Tuesday’s action at least tied for a top-10 winning percentage.