Spring Training Game Thread No. 6: José Quintana vs. Jameson Taillon

Yesterday, the Rockies beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 for their third win in five spring games. Cole Carrigg and Ryan Ritter stayed hot at the plate, and Charlie Condon launched his first home run of the spring. 

Today, Colorado faces the Chicago Cubs for the first time this spring, looking to extend their two-game win streak. The bats have shown encouraging signs early in camp: through five games, the Rockies have struck out 10 or more times just once – a welcome development for a lineup emphasizing contact and competitive at-bats. 

Defensively, things have been sharp as well. Colorado has strung together three consecutive error-free games, an impressive stretch considering how many players have rotated through multiple positions during the first week of action. 

On the Mound: José Quintana (Rockies) 

Veteran free agent signing José Quintana – a former Cub – makes his Rockies debut this afternoon. Quintana posted a 3.92 ERA across 131.2 innings last season with the Brewers, striking out 89 while continuing to rely on craft and pitch mix rather than overpowering velocity. 

Quintana now leans heavily on his sinker and off-speed offerings, with his four-seam usage dropping from 36% in 2022 to just 11.7% in 2025. He’s typically effective at limiting hard contact, generating ground balls, and pitching to contact rather than chasing strikeouts. For a Rockies staff looking to induce weak contact and stay efficient, that profile fits well. 

2025 Stats: 

11-7, 3.96 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 89 K, 131.2 IP 

In addition to our first look at Quintana in purple, Mickey Moniak makes his spring debut at DH (Moniak has been dealing with right oblique tightness). Today also offers another opportunity to evaluate players competing for roster spots: Troy Johnston and Zac Veen are in the outfield, TJ Rumfield gets the start at first base, and Nicky Lopez slots in at second. 

It’s particularly intriguing to see Johnston continue to get run in the outfield. If he’s going to make this team, what role does he actually fill? 

On the Mound: Jameson Taillon (Cubs) 

Opposing Quintana is veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon. Injuries interrupted Taillon’s 2025 campaign, but when healthy, he remained effective. Like Quintana, Taillon features a diverse pitch mix and relies on command and sequencing as his fastball velocity has ticked down in recent seasons. 

Taillon excelled at limiting hard contact last year, finishing with a 3.68 ERA and a stellar 1.05 WHIP across 129.2 innings. This will be his second outing of the spring; in his first appearance, he allowed four runs – including two home runs – in 1.2 innings against the White Sox. 

2025 Stats: 

 11-7, 3.68 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 98 K, 129.2 IP 

And now to the details.

First Pitch: 1:05 p.m. MDT

TV: None

Radio: None 

How to Follow 

Live Box Score:MLB Gameday

Lineups 

Rockies Starting Lineup 

Cubs Starting Lineup 

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