Series Preview: Rockies vs. Marlins, March 31st-April 3rd

Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Opening day! It is my favorite day of the year. For me, it is the start of summer and it comes with barbecues and sunshine. For the Marlins, they will start their season facing off against the Colorado Rockies in south Florida. This series will consist of 4 games, with 3 evening games and the series finale a day game.

Weather Forcast:

The weather will be wonderful with zero chance for a rain out, thank you Marlins Park.

Previously:

Obviously both teams are starting with a 0-0 record, although Miami finished spring training with an 18-12 record while the Rockies went 15-14.

Projected Pitching Matchups:

Monday, March 31st

Miami Marlins – Jose Fernandez (0-0, -.– ERA, 0 SO)

Colorado Rockies – Jorge De La Rosa (0-0, -.– ERA, 0 SO)

Tuesday, April 1st

Miami Marlins – Nathan Eovaldi (0-0, -.– ERA, 0 SO)

Colorado Rockies – Brett Anderson (0-0, -.– ERA, 0 SO)

Wednesday, April 2nd

Miami Marlins – Henderson Alvarez (0-0, -.– ERA, 0 SO)

Colorado Rockies – Tyler Chatwood (0-0, -.– ERA, 0 SO)

Thursday, April 3rd

Miami Marlins – Jacob Turner (0-0, -.– ERA, 0 SO)

Colorado Rockies – Juan Nicasio (0-0, -.– ERA, 0 SO)

Injuries:

The Marlins will be without the services of starting second baseman Rafael Furcal due to a strained hamstring, and also utility infielder Ed Lucas who suffered a fracture in his hand after being hit by a pitch a couple of days ago.

The Rockies will be missing their ace to start the season, Jhoulys Chacin. Chacin is starting the season on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder strain.

Analysis:

This initial matchup will be interesting when comparing the two styles of the teams. The Rockies are a team that is built around solid offense with suspect pitching. The Marlins are the polar opposite, built around talented young arms and will struggle to score runs. When teams matchup this way, the strengths tend to cancel each other out and the team that can successfully lift their secondary strength will be victorious. In this case, I think the Marlins have a stronger lineup than the Rockies have pitching.

Prediction:

I believe that the Marlins hold the pitching advantage in three of the four matchups, with only Turner being weaker than Nicasio. Obviously everyone is going to point to opening day as being the game to watch since Jose is pitching, and rightfully so, but don’t sleep on the following night’s matchup between Eovaldi and Anderson. That could very well determine who wins the series. To me, that is the closest pitching matchup between the two teams. Look for Miami to finish the series 3-1 and then welcome the San Diego Padres next weekend.