The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off a dominant 10-game homestand where they scored an impressive 61 runs, are set to begin a six-game road trip with a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, starting Tuesday, June 24, 2025. With the Dodgers leading the National League West at 48-31 and the Rockies languishing at 18-60, this matchup presents an opportunity for Los Angeles to capitalize on their offensive momentum and exploit Colorado’s weaknesses, particularly in preventing stolen bases. However, the Dodgers’ lineup will see some notable changes, including the absence of rookie sensation Hyeseong Kim for the series opener.
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Dodgers’ Lineup Shuffles: Hyeseong Kim Sits Out
The Dodgers’ lineup for Tuesday’s game comes with a surprise: Hyeseong Kim, the South Korean rookie who has been a spark plug in the field and at the plate, will not start against the Rockies. Manager Dave Roberts has opted to give Kim a rest, with veteran Teoscar Hernández also absent from the starting lineup. Andy Pages will take over in right field, while other regulars adjust to fill the void. Despite Kim’s absence, the Dodgers’ star-studded top order, featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and others, is expected to carry the offensive load.
Kim’s recent performances have been nothing short of historic. Earlier this month against the New York Yankees, he became the only MLB player in the modern era to record four-plus hits, a home run, an unassisted double play, and an outfield assist in a single game. His versatility—splitting time between shortstop, second base, and center field—has made him a valuable asset. However, with a left-handed pitcher, Jack Dreyer, starting for the Dodgers, and a right-hander, Germán Márquez, on the mound for Colorado, Roberts likely sees this as a strategic moment to rest Kim and optimize matchups.
Pitching Matchup: Dreyer vs. Márquez
The Dodgers will turn to rookie southpaw Jack Dreyer as the opener for Tuesday’s game, followed by a bullpen effort featuring relievers like Matt Sauer and Justin Wrobleski, both of whom are on normal rest. Dreyer has been solid this season, boasting a 3.18 ERA over 39.2 innings with an ERA+ of 125, meaning he’s 25 percent better than the league-average pitcher. His ability to limit damage will be crucial at the hitter-friendly Coors Field.
On the other side, the Rockies will send Germán Márquez to the mound. Márquez, a seasoned right-hander, has struggled in 2025 with a 6.11 ERA across 73.2 innings, striking out 50 but issuing 24 walks. His recent form, however, shows improvement, allowing just one run over his last two starts (10⅔ innings). Still, Márquez has a notable weakness: he’s prone to allowing stolen bases, which could play into the Dodgers’ hands.
Stolen Base Opportunities at Coors Field
The Dodgers have been conservative on the basepaths this season, stealing only 44 bases compared to the league average of 57. Their success rate (77.2%) aligns with the league’s 76.8%, but their overall attempts have been limited, especially in June, where they’ve swiped just six bases. Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Hyeseong Kim, and Tommy Edman have been the primary base stealers, but the team as a whole has yet to fully unleash their speed.
Enter Germán Márquez and the Rockies, who present a golden opportunity for the Dodgers to run. Colorado’s pitching staff and catchers have struggled to control the running game, and Márquez’s slower delivery to the plate makes him particularly vulnerable. As Eric Stephen of True Blue LA notes, “After scoring 61 runs during their 10-game homestand, the Dodgers start a road trip on Tuesday night against the Rockies at Coors Field in Denver. During said homestand the Dodgers stole only two bases, both in the same game.” With Márquez on the mound, expect the Dodgers’ speedsters—Betts, Edman, or even Freeman—to test Colorado’s defense early and often.
Recent History and Series Context
This is the second meeting between the Dodgers and Rockies in 2025. Los Angeles swept the first series at Dodger Stadium from April 14-16, showcasing their dominance over the last-place Rockies. In those games, the Dodgers’ pitching staff, led by Dustin May and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, stifled Colorado’s offense, while the bats erupted for timely hits, including home runs from Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman.
Coors Field, known for its thin air and spacious outfield, often leads to high-scoring affairs, which could favor the Dodgers’ potent lineup. However, the bullpen game following Dreyer’s opener will need to navigate Colorado’s hitters carefully, especially power threats like Michael Toglia, who hit a grand slam against the Dodgers in their last meeting.