Purple Row After Dark: The value of a shutout

DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 10: Detail of the scoreboard of the San Diego Padres against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning at Coors Field on May 10, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On Sunday, in the second game of a doubleheader — and when the bullpen had to cover 3.2 innings in Game 1 — Chase Dollander threw seven shutout innings to help the Rockies shut out the Mets 3-0. The result was Colorado’s first shutout of 2026.

In 2025, the Rockies only held opponents scoreless three times. The first was on July 23 with a 6-0 win over St. Louis at Coors Field. The second came in St. Louis on Aug. 12 when the Rockies won 3-0. The last came on Sept. 5 when Colorado blanked the Padres 3-0 in Denver.

On the other side, the Rockies were shut out by opponents 18 times last year. I suppose that’s to be expected with a -424 run differential. Colorado put up goose eggs in three games in 2025 by April 13 alone.

This year, it’s been a totally different story. The Rockies have only been held scoreless once this season, and that came on April 21 in a very un-Coors Field-like 1-0 loss to San Diego.

Having the Rockies first shutout almost three months earlier than last season and being held scoreless only once so far is another indicator of why baseball is more fun in 2026.

It also raises an interesting question: would you rather see the Rockies pitchers hurl more shutouts or the Colorado offense get shut out fewer times? As a fan, what is more satisfying?


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