The 2026 MLB Spring Training is in full swing, and the Cactus League is heating up.
Tomorrow morning, the Colorado Rockies and LA Angels will face off at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Both teams put disappointing 2025 seasons behind them and went through significant changes during the offseason.
All eyes are on how these two teams, armed with new rosters, will perform.
Game Overview
| Category | Details |
| Event | 2026 MLB Spring Training (Cactus League) |
| Date & Time | February 25, 2026 (Wed) 05:10 KST |
| Venue | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Scottsdale, Arizona) |
| Home Team | Colorado Rockies |
| Away Team | LA Angels |
| Broadcast | SPOTV |
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is the Spring Training home for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks.
This 11,000-seat stadium is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, sitting on a sprawling 140-acre complex.
The matchup between the two teams under the clear Arizona skies of late February promises to be an exciting one.
Colorado Rockies - Heading Toward a Different 2026 Season
The Colorado Rockies posted a dismal 43-119 record in the 2025 season.
Not only was it the worst season in franchise history, but they also finished with a historically bad run differential of -424 in the modern MLB era.
After suffering the ignominy of three consecutive 100-loss seasons, the Rockies made significant changes this offseason.
The most notable change is a major overhaul of the starting rotation.
They signed three veteran starting pitchers: Michael Lorenzen (1-year, $8M), Tomoyuki Sugano (1-year, $5.1M), and Jose Quintana (1-year, $6M).
With these veterans joining Kyle Freeland and Ryan Feltner, the rotation depth has significantly improved.
However, trading Ryan McMahon to the New York Yankees has left a gap in the lineup.
- Michael Lorenzen (RHP): 1-year $8M ($9M option for 2027)
- Tomoyuki Sugano (RHP): 1-year $5.1M
- Jose Quintana (LHP): 1-year $6M
- Edouard Julien (INF): Trade from Minnesota
LA Angels - The Beginning of a New Era
The LA Angels also fell short of expectations in the 2025 season.
However, they aggressively pursued trades and signings this offseason to reshape the team's core.
The most notable move was acquiring Grayson Rodriguez from the Baltimore Orioles via trade.
Rodriguez, regarded as one of the best young pitchers in the majors from the second half of 2023 through early 2024, missed the entire 2025 season due to injury, but if he can regain his health, he has the potential to become the cornerstone of the Angels' rotation.
They also acquired outfielder Josh Lowe through a three-team trade involving Tampa Bay, injecting energy into the lineup.
After parting ways with Anthony Rendon and re-signing Yoan Moncada as the third baseman, the infield has been restructured.
The bullpen was bolstered with experienced arms including Kirby Yates, Drew Pomeranz, and Jordan Romano.
- Grayson Rodriguez (RHP): Trade from Baltimore
- Josh Lowe (OF): Three-team trade
- Alek Manoah (RHP): Free agent signing
- Kirby Yates (RHP), Jordan Romano (RHP): Bullpen additions
- Yoan Moncada (3B): Re-signed
2026 Starting Rotation Comparison
| Order | Colorado Rockies | LA Angels |
| No. 1 | Kyle Freeland (LHP) | Yusei Kikuchi (LHP) |
| No. 2 | Michael Lorenzen (RHP) | Jose Soriano (RHP) |
| No. 3 | Tomoyuki Sugano (RHP) | Grayson Rodriguez (RHP) |
| No. 4 | Jose Quintana (LHP) | Reid Detmers (LHP) |
| No. 5 | Ryan Feltner / Chase Dollander | Alek Manoah (RHP) |
It is notable that both teams focused on bolstering their starting rotations during the offseason.
The Angels have Yusei Kikuchi (3.99 ERA in 2025, All-Star) as their ace, with Grayson Rodriguez's return being the biggest variable.
The Rockies, centered around Kyle Freeland with three veteran additions, are aiming for a rebound from what was the league's worst pitching staff.
The battle for the fifth starter spot on each team is expected to be particularly fierce during Spring Training.
Recent Head-to-Head Record (2025 Regular Season)
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Result |
| Sep 19 | Colorado | 7 - 6 | LA Angels | Colorado Win |
| Sep 20 | Colorado | 0 - 3 | LA Angels | LA Angels Win |
| Sep 21 | Colorado | 3 - 1 | LA Angels | Colorado Win |
The Colorado Rockies took the series 2-1 in the final matchup of the 2025 season.
Since the series was played at Coors Field, home-field advantage may have played a role, but the Rockies' edge in the head-to-head record is noteworthy.
However, in the all-time series record, the Angels hold a commanding 34-23 lead.
While Spring Training results have no direct correlation to regular season performance, it will be a great opportunity to evaluate both teams' new rosters.
Key Players - Colorado Rockies
Ezequiel Tovar (SS)
The heart of the Rockies' offense, Tovar was limited to just 95 games in the 2025 season due to hip and oblique injuries.
In 360 at-bats, he hit .253 with 9 home runs and 33 RBIs for a disappointing season, but considering his explosive 2024 campaign when healthy, a bounce-back is well within reach.
However, Tovar has been selected for the Venezuela roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and his participation in the tournament starting March 5 may limit his availability during Spring Training.
Michael Lorenzen (RHP)
Lorenzen, who will take the mound in a Rockies uniform for the first time this Spring Training, is expected to make his first start around this game.
A veteran right-hander with a diverse pitch mix and extensive experience, the key question is how he will adapt to pitching at Coors Field, a notoriously hitter-friendly ballpark.
His conditioning check during Spring Training could be pivotal for the entire season ahead.
Key Players - LA Angels
Mike Trout (RF/DH)
The three-time American League MVP hit .235 with 26 home runs, 52 RBIs, and an OPS of .798 in the 2025 season.
While these numbers fall short of his prime years, the positive takeaway is that he appeared in 130 games, his most since the 2019 season.
He finished the season on a strong note, belting 5 home runs in his final 7 games.
In 2026, he is expected to alternate between right field and designated hitter to manage his health.
Zach Neto (SS)
The Angels' rising star, Neto hit .257 with 26 home runs, 62 RBIs, and an OPS of .793 while leading the team in WAR (5.0) during the 2025 season.
Although a left hand injury ended his season early in September, he cemented his status as the team's best player for the second consecutive year, proving he is the cornerstone of the Angels' future.
His healthy return during Spring Training would be the most important news for the Angels.
Key Hitter Comparison (2025 Regular Season)
| Player | Team | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS |
| Ezequiel Tovar | Colorado | .253 | 9 | 33 | - |
| Mike Trout | LA Angels | .235 | 26 | 52 | .798 |
| Zach Neto | LA Angels | .257 | 26 | 62 | .793 |
Key Matchup Points
1. First Impressions of the Rockies' New Starters
The adaptation of the Rockies' three veteran starters (Lorenzen, Sugano, Quintana), acquired for a combined investment of over $19 million, is the biggest storyline of this Spring Training.
Michael Lorenzen, in particular, is set to make his first start in a Rockies uniform this week, making his conditioning and pitch mix a focal point.
Tomoyuki Sugano, formerly of the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's NPB, also draws attention as the 36-year-old has taken on the challenge of pitching at Coors Field.
2. Health Status of the Angels' Young Core
With Zach Neto (left hand injury) and Logan O'Hoppe (concussion) having been sidelined late in the 2025 season, the recovery status of these two players could make or break the Angels' season.
Nolan Schanuel's return to form is also an important factor.
Confirming whether the Angels' young core players can start the season healthy is the key objective of this Spring Training.
3. Grayson Rodriguez's Road to Recovery
The return timeline for Grayson Rodriguez, who missed the entire 2025 season due to injury, is the biggest storyline for Angels fans.
If Rodriguez, once considered one of the top pitching prospects in the majors, can regain his health, it could completely transform the Angels' rotation.
His timing for live game appearances and the recovery of his stuff during Spring Training will have a decisive impact on the season outlook.
What to Watch
As an early Spring Training game, the focus will be on evaluating each team's new personnel rather than the final result.
Rockies fans should keep an eye on Michael Lorenzen and Chase Dollander on the mound.
In particular, Dollander, a first-round pick in the 2022 draft, will be looking to earn the fifth starter spot, and his development during Spring Training will be worth following.
For Angels fans, checking on Mike Trout's Spring Training conditioning is essential.
After leaving a strong impression at the end of the 2025 season, this is an opportunity to see whether Trout can perform from the start of the season and how his knee is holding up.
Additionally, watching how newcomers Josh Lowe and Yoan Moncada adjust to the team will be another intriguing storyline.
Rockies' Infield Changes After the McMahon Trade
The Rockies underwent a major infield shakeup this offseason by trading franchise third baseman Ryan McMahon to the New York Yankees.
Kyle Karros gets the first crack at the third base position, while Ryan Ritter also needs to prove he can establish himself as an everyday big leaguer.
The competition among young players, including Edouard Julien acquired from the Minnesota trade, and prospects Charlie Condon and Hunter Goodman, will be a highlight of this Spring Training.
This game could provide the first glimpse of who might fill the void left by McMahon, a proven everyday starter.
Prediction
Given that it is early in Spring Training, playing time for regulars on both teams will likely be limited.
Rather than the outcome itself, the adaptation of newly acquired players and the performance of prospects carry more significance in this game.
On paper, the Angels hold a slight edge with a proven lineup featuring Trout and Neto, along with the Kikuchi-Soriano starting duo.
However, the Rockies should not be underestimated, with the advantage of playing at their Spring Training home and the addition of veteran pitchers.
This promises to be a meaningful game where both teams can showcase their transformed rosters for the first time heading into the 2026 season.