San Francisco Giants vs Colorado Rockies Picks and Predictions May 1st 2025

A Veteran’s Mission: Verlander Chases First Win in 2025

Justin Verlander, one of baseball’s all-time greats and a three-time Cy Young Award winner, heads into May without a win in the 2025 MLB season. As the San Francisco Giants prepare to open a four-game home series against the Colorado Rockies, Verlander’s pursuit of victory is more than just a personal milestone—it’s symbolic of a team trying to find consistency amid uneven results.

Signed in the offseason to a one-year, $15 million deal, the 42-year-old right-hander has shown flashes of vintage dominance. But through six starts, his record sits at 0-2 with a 4.99 ERA—figures that don’t fully reflect how well he’s actually pitched in recent outings.

Encouraging Signs Despite Winless Start

Verlander has looked sharp in his last two starts, tossing 12 combined innings against the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers and giving up just two earned runs with 11 strikeouts. His most recent outing—six innings of one-run ball against the Rangers—showcased his command and competitiveness.

Still, the Giants were blanked 2-0 due to a lackluster offensive showing, marking another start where Verlander’s strong effort went unrewarded.

“It’s definitely encouraging,” Verlander said. “This game can beat you down in a hurry, so you want to try and focus on positives. It’s harder to do that when the team doesn’t win.”

Managerial Confidence and Tactical Praise

San Francisco manager Bob Melvin was vocal about Verlander’s recent outing.

“Really good. Six innings, two runs, walked one, got out of a jam when he needed to with a punch-out and the double play. Typically, that’ll win you a game. We just didn’t do much with their pitching tonight.”

Such comments underscore the belief that Verlander’s performances are setting a standard—now the offense must rise to the occasion. Don’t miss this matchup’s Picks from MLB Expert Handicappers

The Opponent: Colorado Rockies’ Dire Straits

Verlander’s seventh start will come against the MLB-worst Colorado Rockies, who at 5-25 are threatening to challenge the modern record for futility set by the 2023 White Sox (41-121). It’s been a brutal season for Colorado, but they arrive in San Francisco with a rare burst of momentum.

On Thursday, the Rockies stunned the baseball world with a 2-1 win over Atlanta Braves ace and reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale, snapping an eight-game losing streak. It was only their second victory in 18 games.

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Youthful Upside: Chase Dollander and Brenton Doyle Step Up

Colorado’s bright spot came from rookie right-hander Chase Dollander, the ninth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, who secured his first major league win. He allowed just two hits and one earned run over 5 2/3 innings despite dealing with a cracked fingernail.

“Chase is built the right way,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “This is a great confidence-builder—going up against Chris Sale and basically outdueling him.”

Brenton Doyle also broke out of a significant slump with a go-ahead 421-foot home run. After enduring an 0-for-20 skid, his blast to left-center proved decisive.

“We definitely needed this win as a team,” Doyle said. “Sale is a heck of a pitcher, and to get it against him… is a good momentum boost.”

Pitching Matchup Preview: Verlander vs. Freeland

Thursday’s series opener will see Verlander go up against Colorado left-hander Kyle Freeland, who is 0-4 with a 5.93 ERA in 2025. Despite his recent struggles, Freeland has had some success against the Giants in his career (8-7, 4.19 ERA over 24 starts).

Verlander, on the other hand, boasts a 3-1 record and 3.18 ERA in six career starts against the Rockies.

What’s at Stake for the Giants and Verlander?

While Verlander is inching closer to the prestigious 300-win club—just 38 victories away—his current drought reflects a broader issue for the Giants: inconsistent run support and offensive execution.

A win here wouldn’t just end Verlander’s personal skid—it would serve as a much-needed morale boost for a Giants team trying to climb into playoff contention early in the season.

Conclusion: A Defining Start for Verlander and the Giants

As the Giants prepare to host the struggling Rockies, all eyes will be on Justin Verlander. Can the veteran finally notch his first 2025 win and steer San Francisco toward a more consistent path? With Colorado showing a glimpse of life and young talent emerging, this matchup offers more intrigue than the records might suggest.