Dodgers Look to Continue Strong Start Against Rockies

Los Angeles opens 4-game series in Colorado as they defend World Series title

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:04pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game between the Dodgers and Rockies, with the players and field broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the competitive clash between the two teams.The Dodgers' quest to defend their World Series title faces an early challenge against the Rockies in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field.Denver Today

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are off to a 14-4 start in defense of their second straight World Series championship, will open a 4-game series against the Colorado Rockies in Denver on Friday night. The Dodgers will send Tyler Glasnow to the mound against the Rockies' Tomoyuki Sugano in a matchup of right-handed starters.

Why it matters

The Dodgers have dominated the Rockies in recent years, winning 11 of 13 games against them in 2025 and 31 of 39 since 2022. However, the Rockies have played well at home lately, winning their last 4 games at Coors Field. This series could be an early test for the defending champions as they look to continue their strong start to the season.

The details

Glasnow has a 2.00 ERA in two career appearances against the Rockies, but this will be his first time pitching at the hitter-friendly Coors Field. Sugano, in his second MLB season after 12 years in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, has a 2.16 ERA in his first 3 starts for the Rockies. Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker, a big offseason acquisition, has struggled with strikeouts so far this season and will look to break out against Sugano.

  • The 4-game series begins on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • The Dodgers won 11 of 13 games against the Rockies in 2025.
  • The Dodgers are 31-8 against the Rockies since 2022.

The players

Tyler Glasnow

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher, 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA this season.

Tomoyuki Sugano

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher, 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA in his first 3 starts after 12 seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Kyle Tucker

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, a big offseason acquisition who has struggled with strikeouts so far this season, batting .239 with 2 homers and 11 RBIs.

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What they’re saying

“He's not a guy that typically chases down below, but he's chasing a lot more down below, for me. Typically when guys chase, they're trying to do a little bit too much.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

“Sometimes you just find yourself chasing more; you just have to try and just narrow your zone a little bit and look in certain parts in the zone, rather than just like swinging at whatever's thrown.”

— Kyle Tucker

“When you throw strikes, you're usually efficient, and Sugano attacks the strike zone. He's done it in at least the first three outings (with the Rockies), and he's done it his whole life.”

— Warren Schaeffer, Rockies Manager

What’s next

The Dodgers and Rockies will play the second game of their 4-game series on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The takeaway

This early-season matchup between the defending champion Dodgers and the Rockies, who have struggled to start the year, could provide an interesting test for Los Angeles as they look to maintain their strong start and continue their recent dominance over Colorado.