Opening Day starts with a bang for the Colorado Rockies

The tailgate parties were in full swing by 9 am in the parking lot at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

The Colorado Rockies, however, decided that the party wouldn’t come inside for Brewers fans. The Rockies trounced the Brewers with a 10-0 shutout victory, starting the season 1-0 and on the right foot.

If Monday afternoon in Milwaukee represents anything for the Rockies 2015 season, things will be looking good. Everyone who the Rockies need to be good in 2015 weren’t just good, they were great.

The Rockies wasted no time, plating four runs in the first inning. Back-to-back doubles by Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki got the Rockies started. Another double by Nolan Arenado one batter later scored Tulowitzki, and a man who could be a deciding factor in how the Rockies will finish in 2015, Corey Dickerson, capped off the four-run inning with a two-run homer to right field.

Kyle Kendrick, the Rockies biggest offseason pickup, had a message for anyone who thought that he shouldn’t have been the Opening Day starter. He pitched seven shutout innings, giving up just seven hits. Most importantly, he commanded his pitches within the strike zone. He didn’t issue a walk and struck out six. The only two times that Kendrick was in danger he was able to induce double plays to head back to the dugout unscathed.

With a rotation that certainly has it’s fair share of question marks, the offense did what it will need to do often. They put up runs early and often, giving Kendrick the breathing room to kick back and relax, pitching his game.

The reality that even the biggest nay-sayers will have a hard time arguing is the fact that the Rockies lineup is tough to negotiate for an opposing starter. On Monday the Rockies trotted out a lineup that featured their first four batters as previous All-Stars, including Justin Morneau, who has a batting title and an MVP on his resume. They follow that up with two players who the Rockies believe could be representing them in All-Star games soon, in Nolan Arenado and Corey Dickerson.

Between Dickerson and Arenado, the Rockies hope that Monday is a sign of things to come. They combined to go 5-for-9 with two doubles, two homers and eight RBIs.  Arenado finished a triple shy of the cycle.

Ultimately, Opening Day counts the same as every game. However, if the Rockies were looking to make a statement, they definitely did that on Monday. Their offense looked complete, hitting the ball on the road, and their pitching was nearly perfect.

The Rockies and their fans would love to see a season full of games just like Monday. If it happens with any regularity, the club could surprise some people.

Follow me on Twitter @RockiesReview and on Facebook