With the Rockies opening their road series against the Texas Rangers on Monday and playing their 41st game of the season, there are now 40 games until the official halfway point of Major League Baseball’s 162-game schedule.

It has been a tumultuous first 41 games for the Rockies. Hitting coach Hensley Meulens was dismissed April 17. Manager Bud Black and bench coach Mike Redmond were fired Sunday. And the Rockies are on track to record the most losses in a season in MLB’s modern era.

So what will the next 40 games hold for the Rockies? Here are 40 questions that could determine the direction of this franchise for the rest of 2025 and beyond:

1. Will a new manager make a difference?

The Rockies needed a change, and the team is familiar with interim Warren Schaeffer from his time on Black’s staff and managing in the minor leagues. However, it’s up to the players to hit, pitch and field — no matter the skipper.

2. Is Warren Schaeffer the right successor?

Talking to several players on Sunday, there is a belief the 40-year-old Schaeffer is the right fit. The word “energy” was used time and time again, and the Rockies need a spark. Don’t be surprised if Schaeffer gets an early ejection in his tenure to show emotion is OK.

3. What’s the first move Schaeffer should make in the lineup?

Move Ryan McMahon to the ‘2’ spot behind leadoff Brenton Doyle. Batting in the heart of the order, McMahon has been hitting and drawing walks. Give McMahon more chances.

4. Were the three firings on the coaching staff a warning shot to the players?

Absolutely. The Rockies have reached that point where it’s time to produce or risk being replaced. McMahon said Sunday this might be “a kick in the ass” for the team — and team that won seven of its first 40 games needs a size 12 in the posterior.

5. What about the rest of the coaching moves announced Monday?

Jordan Pacheco and Nic Wilson will join forces to become Colorado’s third hitting coach this season. Pacheco was the Triple-A hitting coach and Wilson was the minor league hitting coordinator, so expect there to be a comfort level with their direction at the plate.

6. Will the Rockies fire general manager Bill Schmidt?

No. At least not yet. The Rockies have made the big moves mentioned earlier. What Schmidt does (or doesn’t do, if history is an indicator) at the trade deadline may be his job’s savior or final big act. Don’t be surprised if a new manager and general manager are brought in for 2026 as a sign of faith from Dick Monfort.

7. Will Monfort sell the team?

This is the most-asked question in Denver, outside of what’s really underneath Denver International Airport. The Rockies are not for sale and won’t be in the foreseeable future. Monfort knows Coors Field is a money-maker — no matter the product on the field.

8. What other moves are coming?

Expect the June 13 Rockies to look a lot like the May 13 Rockies. The shake-ups have happened; now it’s time to see what happens under Schaeffer’s guidance.

9. OK, so does Monfort really care?

Absolutely. He’s a baseball fan and wants to see wins. However, as a business owner, he hasn’t gotten out of the way and let baseball-minded people run the day-to-day operations. He cares about the people in his organization and doesn’t care to look outside of that for guidance or help.

10. OK, do the players really care?

They do, deeply, and take the losses personally. When Black and Mike Redmond were fired, several players discussed how it was more their fault than the manager or bench. There were emotions held back, ranging from sadness to anger.

11. Will the 2025 Rockies have a winning streak?

Bite your tongue! This team won two in a row on April 30 and May 1. But the Rockies have lost eight straight thrice this season, so they’re familiar with streaks. They’re just the wrong kind of streaks.

12. What are the bright spots over the next 40 games?

It depends on the shade of your purple-tinted sunglasses. Colorado plays three games in Miami in early June and four games in Washington two weeks later. Those are the two worst teams in the National League East. But the Rockies are also playing them on the road, where Colorado is 2-17.

13. OK, and the worst parts of the next 40 days?

Pick your poison. The Rockies play the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees at Coors Field next week during a seven-game homestand. There’s also a three-city road trip where Colorado faces the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Miami Marlins. Yeesh.

14. When does Thairo Estrada debut?

It matters because Estrada was Colorado’s biggest free agent signing and was expected to take over second base and be a contact hitter in a lineup filled with swing-and-miss candidates. Having Estrada in late May or early June will be a plus for Colorado’s defense and batting order. Yes, one person can make a difference.

15. When will Ezequiel Tovar be back at shortstop?

Colorado gets its Gold Glove winner back next week as he is expected to finish up a rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. He’s been out since April 16.

16. What other injury returns will help the Rockies?

Starting pitcher Ryan Feltner has been out with back spasms but is expected to rejoin the team in May. Statistically, he’s been Colorado’s best starter, posting the only sub-5.00 ERA. Also, Tyler Freeman is expected back from an oblique injury and he will provide depth off the bench in the infield and outfield.

17. Will Charlie Blackmon ditch his comfy role as an advisor (and a summer of fly fishing) to join the bench as a coach?

Would you give up quiet days on the Eagle River for a 120-loss baseball season? While Blackmon’s commitment to the franchise is unquestioned, the Rockies icon made it clear in his retirement press conference that coaching is not an item on his to-do list — for now.

18. Will the vibes around this team improve?

If by “vibes” you mean “feeling better after wins,” the answer is yes. Colorado’s first 40 games were as bad as you can get, both with injuries and performance. After the horrific March, April and mid-May, the rest of season will feel like smooth sailing compared to that.

19. How are the Rockies handling the wrong spotlight?

When you’re told all day every day how bad you are, it can be easy to take that to heart. However, several Rockies have told me the clubhouse has become closer during the tough times. They know they can play better, so they’re viewing this as temporary.

20. Did we see a rejuvenated German Marquez on Sunday?

We did. But will it last? It was the first time since a March 31 start Marquez didn’t allow three runs or more in a game, and his three hits allowed were a season-low. The 30-year-old Marquez finally spotted his fastball and had his breaking stuff working as well, a welcome sign. Now he must repeat that again before anyone can say with confidence that Marquez is back to being anything close to the Marquez who was an All-Star in 2021.

21. Who is under the most pressure in the lineup?

It’s probably Brenton Doyle, who had a breakout season in 2024 by boosting his batting average to .260 after hitting just .203 in 2023. However, Doyle has struggled for consistency after missing two weeks in April with a quad injury and personal issues.

22. Who is under the most pressure in the rotation?

Kyle Freeland is 0-5 with a 6.41 ERA through his first eight starts. As a Denver native, he is taking this season personally. He wants his beloved franchise to win. He must find his groove on the mound for the Rockies to put together any kind of sustained success.

23. Is Colorado’s bullpen the unsung hero so far?

It’s clear Colorado’s bullpen has become its strength. Since April 10, Colorado’s bullpen has a collective 3.28 ERA. That’s the second-lowest number of any National League team, a blessing in disguise during the first quarter of the season.

24. Being a Denver native, does Freeland care too much?

He cares a lot. He has become one of the leaders in the clubhouse with Blackmon’s retirement, so he’s not only navigating his own performance, but providing leadership.

25. Can the Rockies make Coors Field a home-field advantage again?

They must. The Blake Street Bombers must be reborn within this franchise. Colorado is 5-16 at home. If the Rockies are to avoid the most losses in MLB history, it starts at 20th and Blake.

26. Will Coors Field continue to sound like a road game?

In the short term, yes. Phillies and Yankees fans will invade LoDo and folks in purple will be outnumbered. Until the Rockies recapture the locals, Coors will be filled with opposing jerseys, one of the curses of Colorado becoming a transient state.

27. Can the Rockies win on the road?

Now there’s the biggest question in Rockies history. It’s not just this season that travel has posed a problem. It’s all time as the Rockies are 976-1554 away from Coors (.386 winning percentage). Until scientists figure out how to nullify the effects of a baseball team traveling back and forth from altitude, playing near sea level will pose problems.

28. Are there any prospects who could help them win now?

No. We’ve already seen the struggles of Zac Veen, Adael Amador and Chase Dollander, all players who will contribute to Rockies teams of the future. However, Colorado’s young players still need time to develop in the minors before coming to Coors Field.

29. What’s one thing to watch during the next homestand?

How vocal will Rockies fans be? Will there be chants of “sell the team”? Colorado fans have a reputation around the league of being nice to their own players. Will the boo birds make an appearance?

30. Who is going to be the All-Star Game representative?

It could be a relief pitcher. (Imagine telling Rockies fans of the past that a reliever would be going to the Midsummer Classic.) Then imagine telling them the leading candidate is Jake Bird, a right-hander who has a 1.85 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 24.1 innings.

31. Is Michael Toglia the answer at first base?

Defensively, yes. Offensively, TBD. Toglia leads MLB with 55 strikeouts and is hitting less than .100 on the road. The 26-year-old Toglia has had Gold Glove-caliber plays at first, but there are whispers about just how long Toglia’s struggles at the plate will be tolerated.

32. Why are the Rockies using veteran players like Nick Martini and Kyle Farmer instead of playing prospects?

The jump between Triple-A and MLB is massive. That’s a point Black hammered home during his news conferences, and one that was often seen when rookies were called up. Playing only prospects and rookies would likely lead to even more offensive frustration as well as sap the confidence from those players.

33. Could the Rockies trade anyone soon?

Who has played this season like someone with trade value? Spoiler alert: there are few who would fall into that category. Making deals hasn’t been a Rockies forte. Add in a team with players who are struggling and a deal likely must wait for the July 31 trade deadline.

34. Who could make a difference on the roster and isn’t a well-known name?

Keep an eye on outfielder Mickey Moniak over the next 40 games. The former No. 1 overall draft pick has hit safely in six of his last seven games and is batting .346 during that stretch. Eleven of his 25 hits have gone for extra bases.

35. Which outside voice should be brought in to help the Rockies?

Anyone who can exorcise the demons from the Rockies’ bats. Also anyone who has a “Men in Black” memory device to wipe away the last 40 games.

36. Can Ryan McMahon keep up his current hot streak?

When “RyMac” gets hot, there aren’t many players in MLB who can bring the heat at the plate more than him. Over his last 10 games, he is slashing .419/.538/.935 with seven extra-base hits and seven RBI.

37. Who could catch fire at the plate?

How about a duo of Doyle and Tovar near the top of the order? Colorado hasn’t had them both in the lineup since early April. If Doyle can get back on track with Tovar batting close behind him, it would alter the Rockies’ trajectory.

38. So who will be their upcoming 40-game MVP?

Tovar. Prediction: He returns from the injured list to a hero’s welcome and quickly reminds Rockies fans why he was given a seven-year, $63.5 million extension before last season with some dazzling defense and timely hits.

39. Why should Rockies fans keep going to the games?

Boycotts won’t work; Coors Field will be filled with opposing fans. Over the next 40 games, the Phillies, Yankees and Dodgers all make their way to LoDo, meaning star power will be at a premium. Why not enjoy a sunset with friends while seeing if Colorado avoid infamy?

40. So what’s their record going to be at the 81-game point of the season?

At 7-33 after their first 40 games, the Rockies will be better in the next stretch of the season… but not much. Look for a 21-60 mark at the midway point of the season.