Why the Rockies on Saturday at -120...The boys from Colorado should be settled into Miami after Fridays series opener where they won 1-0 against the fighting fish. Rockies bats are starting to heat back up as they have averaged 5 RPG to go with a .278 BA/.364 OBP over their last seven games where they posted a 4-3 record. On the season, the Rockies are 5-6 against LHP where they averaged 5 RPG with a .237 BA/.310 OBP and 15 HRs over a combined 367 ABs. Like the Rockies in this spot against this rookie LHP as Smith will be the third LHP that the Rockies will be seeing within a six day span. The Rockies will be starting German Marquez who has shown dominant control over his last three starts posting 15 Ks and 3 BBs through 12 IP. Despite the ugly hits allowed and runs allowed numbers that Marquez posted as of late, there is room for a strong play here. In Marquez' last start, he posted a GB% of 46% compared to his season average of 45% as well as a soft contact% of 21% which is a significant drop from his previous start of 35%. Taking a look at Marquez' BABIP against numbers, he has posted an above-average BABIP against of .308 through his first five starts; but through two starts on the road, his BABIP against drops to .214 in starts against the Pirates and Diamondbacks. That should play well for Marquez in this pitcher friendly park against a lineup that he is not exposed to. A final note for Marquez here is that he should be fresh going back on normal rest after being pulled from his previous start after 3 IP and 75 pitches. The Marlins come into game two after losing their last 5 of 7 games where they averaged 2.7 RPG with a .219 BA/.291 OBP. The fish will be starting young lefty Caleb Smith who is coming off of a dominant start against the Brew Crew where he allowed 2 runs through 6 IP on 10 Ks and 0 BBs (on the road). My fade for Smith here is that he has seen his GB% and soft contact% drop in his last four starts. Looking into Smith's two home starts against the Mets and Cubs, he posted a BABIP against of .303 through 10 IP on 9 hits and 2 HRs. Marlins 3-10 in home games and 0-3 after getting shut out.
Play on the Rockies at -120
Play on the Rockies at -120
