MLB Opening Day 2014: Colorado Rockies (0-0) vs. Miami Marlins (0-0) Series Preview
By Andrew Dill
Aug 23, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) turns the double play to force out Miami Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano (17) at second base at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Rockies are looking to rebound from an injury-prone 2013 campaign with high hopes as they enter the 2014 season. They will be taking on the Miami Marlins who also had a rough 2013 season in a three-game set. Lefty Jorge De La Rosa will take the hill for the Rockies while NL Rookie Of The Year Jose Fernandez of the Marlins will be his counterpart. According to a statistic via Adam Berry of MLB.com, Fernandez fooled Rockies’ hitters last season, holding them to a line of .163/.182/.233.
Probable Pitching Match-Ups:
March 31st: Rockies: Jorge De La Rosa (0-0) vs. Marlins: Jose Fernandez (0-0).
April 1st: Rockies: Brett Anderson (0-0) vs. Marlins: Henderson Alvarez (0-0)
April 2nd: Rockies: Juan Nicasio (0-0) vs. Marlins: Jacob Turner (0-0)
Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki know the importance of staying healthy in order to contend for a playoff spot. Here’s more from CarGo via MLB.com:
"“You’re going to have players put up good numbers, and at the end of the year you’re going to have batting titles and Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers,” Gonzalez said. “That’s why it’s so difficult to believe we’re not going to be contenders. If we all stay together, we’re going to be a really hard team to beat."
Colorado will be facing a tough-task in their opening game, taking on Jose Fernandez who took the big leagues by storm last season. In 2013 which was Fernandez’s rookie season, he threw over 172.2 innings, earning a record of 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA. What’s more surprising is he held hitters to a .182 average while striking out 187 in 28 games started.
The Rockies will also have a predicament on who to start in center with the likes of Corey Dickerson, Charlie Blackmon, Drew Stubbs, and Brandon Barnes. As a matter of fact, Troy Renck of The Denver Post tweeted a photo of Charie Blackmon at batting practice and will be the starting center fielder Monday night. Brandon Barnes was a surprise in Spring Training as he hit at a line of .357/.379/.464 with 1 home run, 4 RBI’s and 3 doubles in 56 at-bats. All indications before Spring Training was Drew Stubbs would be the favorite to hit against left-handers but he might not see one in this series as Miami will likely roll out Fernandez, Alvarez, and Turner. Although, he could be a pinch-hit option off of the bench or a pinch-runner for that matter.
Projected Starters:
Colorado Rockies:
Catcher: Wilin Rosario
First Base: Justin Morneau
Second Base: DJ LeMahieu
Third Base: Nolan Arenado
Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki
Left Field: Carlos Gonzalez
Center Field: Charlie Blackmon
Right Field: Michael Cuddyer
Florida Marlins:
Catcher: Jarrod Saltalamacchia
First Base: Garrett Jones
Second Base: Derek Dietrich
Third Base: Casey McGehee
Shortstop: Adeiny Hechavarria
Left Field: Christian Yelich
Center Field: Marcell Ozuna
Right Field: Giancarlo Stanton