DENVER -- Rockies left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland spent the winter angry.

And he believes fans are going to like him when he’s angry.

The Rockies' lineup is expected to be weak. But Freeland makes no apologies for a rotation that last season saw him and German Márquez tie for second in the National League with nine quality starts while Antonio Senzatela added six.

Add to them a healthy Jon Gray and competition for the fifth spot, with lefty Austin Gomber having arrived in the Nolan Arenado trade with the Cardinals, and Freeland doesn’t want to hear about how bad the team is.

“It should be our sole motivating factor right there,” Freeland said. “We haven’t even played a Spring Training game. It’s Day 1 of pitchers and catchers and people are already counting us out. That’s the position I like to be in: being an underdog, being someone who the general public thinks is not going to perform at all.

“As a team, we’re using that as a chip on our shoulder to push us through the season and shock the world and prove doubters wrong.”

After breakout 2018 (17-7, 2.85 ERA) that earned him a fourth-place finish in NL Cy Young Award voting, Freeland struggled in '19, with the year featuring an option to Triple-A and a groin injury.

Last season was a comeback. He led the NL by forcing 14 double-play grounders in his 70 2/3 innings, and the quality starts show his consistency.

Well, not that he was seeking it, but an awful final 2020 start -- six runs on eight hits in 2 1/3 innings at Arizona -- was more fuel, anger to push him toward greater production.

“No one wanted to end the season on that,” Freeland said. “I definitely didn't want to go into the offseason with that bad taste in my mouth.”

Production, not gadgets
Last season saw two key relievers struggle. Carlos Estévez posted a 7.50 ERA in 26 games, and Jairo Díaz ended up at 7.65. At different points, both were trusted with ninth innings.

Both, however, have pitched well for the Rockies over stretches. While the Rockies have delved deep into data and technology to detect minute flaws in pitching, manager Bud Black said it’s important for Estévez and Díaz to keep their thoughts simple.

“There are a lot of things that technology can tell you, but it comes down to, a lot of times, the nuts and bolts of pitching,” Black said. “You’ve got to hit your spot, wherever that spot is -- whether it's down, whether it's down away, whether it's down and in with a sinker to a right-handed hitter if you're a right-handed pitcher, whether it's an elevated pitch at the top of the zone. You have to command the baseball.

“Those guys, in particular, or any pitcher who scuffles, it's a matter of location. And a lot of times it's a matter of, you know, being in the right counts to be able to throw certain pitches in certain spots.”

Fond Coors memories
Gomber faced the Rockies twice in his rookie year, 2018. He threw one scoreless relief inning on Aug. 1 at Busch Stadium to earn a win. At Coors Field on Aug. 26, Gomber started and held the Rockies to two runs (one earned) and five hits in six innings of a 12-3 victory.

The latter reinforced his confidence that his low-90s fastball/high-70s slow curve mix can work at altitude. Gomber considers himself a fly-ball pitcher, with the goal being weak contact.

“When we came in 2018, my rookie year to play the Rockies, there was no change in our approach,” Gomber said. “It was to pitch it like a normal game. A lot of guys get into trouble when they try to overthink things. My curveball is one of my best pitches. I’m going to throw it, regardless where I’m pitching.

“I can be pitching on the moon. I’m still going to be throwing curveball.”

Oberg is back
Righty Scott Oberg lost the end of 2019 and didn’t pitch in '20 because of blood clots in his right arm. Before the condition flared up, Oberg used his fastball and slider to become one of the Majors’ most effective relievers.

After surgery to remove the top rib on the right side and all the precautions and discussions about his health in general and the condition of the arm, will he have to change how he pitches?

“For the most part, the body is going to do what it’s going to do. I might try to tinker with some things. I don’t know how successful that would be. I’m conscious of the way I’m moving my body. I’m just going to try to be as effective as I possibly can, and try not to put too much stock or worry about things like that.”