MLB Preview: Miami Marlins (24-23) at Colorado Rockies (19-28)

MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:

MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today play the first of a four-game series at the Rockies. Continues a three-city, 10-game road trip that started with three at San Francisco where Miami took one of three and wraps up back in California with three games at Los Angeles (AL).

• Miami is in a current stretch of 13 straight days with games until their next off day on Memorial Day (May 29).
• Are looking to win their first series at Coors Field since 2018.

YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami dropped the series yesterday with a 7-5 loss at San Francisco. LHP Jesus Luzardo was charged with 6 earned runs over 5.0 innings, including 2 home runs. RF Jorge Soler led the Marlins offense all afternoon, going 4×5 with a home run and 3 RBI. C Nick Fortes hit a solo home run of his own, his first extra-base hit since April 1.

PODER SOLER
DH/OF Jorge Soler has hit safely in 12 of his last 15 games, including 5 multi-hit efforts. Has reached base in 14 of the contests since May 4. Has collected 7 home runs and 17 RBI and is slashing .323/.391/.677 with a 1.068 OPS in this span.

• With yesterday’s home run, Soler has now homered in 7 of Luzardo’s 10 starts this season, including 2 multi-HR games. Owns a .500 batting avg. (20×40) in these starts with 9 HR and 21 RBI.
• 8 of his 12 home runs this season have tied the game or given the Marlins the lead.
• Recorded fourth career 4-hit game yesterday and first since Sept. 11, 2019 at Chicago-AL. Marked the third 4-hit effort by a Marlin this season (other, 2x by Luis Arraez, April 1 vs. NYM and April 11 at PHI).

AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH
On June 1, 2022, Miami and Colorado split a doubleheader that featured a combined 26 runs scored and 33 hits by the Marlins (14-1 W in G1, 13-12 L in G2). The high-scoring day marked the first time in club history that the Marlins scored 12 or more runs in both halves of a doubleheader. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Marlins became the first team to score at least 12 runs in both games of a DH since the Twins at Baltimore on 9/13/2008. The last team to do that and not win both games was St. Louis at Cincinnati on Sept. 7, 1993 (Cardinals lost the opener, 14–13, before winning the nightcap, 15–2).

IN THE RECORD BOOKS
RHP Edward Cabrera will make his second career start at Coors Field tonight. In his first appearance here in G1 of the DH on June 1, 2022, Cabrera worked a no-hitter into the sixth inning and finished the day with 6.0 scoreless innings with just 1 hit allowed. He became 1 of only 8 visiting pitchers in Coors Field history to allow 1 hit or less and hold the Rockies scoreless in an outing of at least 6.0 innings.

• Cabrera, who walked 13 batters through his first 2 starts of the season, walked 0 batters in his last outing for the first time in 2023 and just the fourth time in the first 30 starts of his MLB career.

UNEARNED SHUTOUT
The lone run scored in Saturday’s 1-0 shutout win was unearned, marking only the second time in franchise history the Marlins won a game 1-0 on an unearned run – also Sept. 24, 2001 vs. Atlanta (E2 allowed Preston Wilson to score).

• Saturday’s win was Miami’s second shutout of the season – both coming in the form of 1-0 wins. Prior to this year, hadn’t won a 1-0 game since Aug. 5, 2020 at Baltimore. Hadn’t won two in a season since 2018.

GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .382 batting avg. (60×157) and a .437 OBP and ranks 4th with 60 hits. Is tied for 5th with 17 multi-hit gms. Has struck out 9 times in 174 PA (.052 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualified batters.

• Is the highest avg. through a player’s first 43 gms to start a season since Cody Bellinger’s .401 avg. through his first 43 gms with the Dodgers in 2019. Only Dee Strange-Gordon (68) has more hits for a Marlins player through his first 42 games of a season.
• With two hits on Wednesday, reached the 500-hit plateau, becoming the seventh active player to reach 500 hits within their first 428 career gms. Joined Bo Bichette (407), Mookie Betts (408), Mike Trout (423), Jose Altuve (426), Whit Merrifield (426), and Jose Abreu (428).
• Is batting a Major League-best .408 (29×71) on the road this season. Has hit safely in 16 of 19 games away from Miami.

CLOSE CALLS
The Marlins have had each of their last eight games decided by two runs or less. Each of their last three road games have been one-run contests. Overall, Miami is 15-2 (.882) in games decided by one run, the best such win pct. in the Majors. The 17 one-run contests are tied for the fourth most among Major League teams. Miami went 24-40 in one-run games in 2022.

NINER ON THE DRUMS
Prior to tonight’s Florida Panthers home game – Game 3 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals – Marlins alum and Special Assistant to the Chairman and Principal Owner Jeff Conine will bang the ceremonial drum at FLA Live Arena, joining local luminaries such as Udonis Haslem during the Cats’ 2023 playoff run.

DE LA CRUZIN’
OF Bryan De La Cruz failed to hit safely in yesterday’s game, ending his career-high hitting streak at 14 games. Marked the longest streak by a Marlins player this season and the second-longest hitting streak in the National League this year behind PHI Bryson Stott’s 17-gamer to start the season. Over the 14-game span, went 20×55 with 9 runs scored, 5 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 3 walks, and a 1.015 OPS. De La Cruz’s 11 multi-hit games rank 2nd on the team behind only Arraez’s 17.

FISH OUT OF WATER
Miami stands at 24-23 through the club’s first 47 games. Marks the latest in a non-shortened season the club has owned a winning record since August of 2017. Miami is 17-5 in games in which they steal at least one base, and have gone 10-2 in games with multiple steals.

DANCING ON A THIN LINE
Thus far in 2023, Miami is 23-3 when limiting opponents to 4 runs or less and has gone 1-20 when allowing 5 or more runs.

TODAY’S STARTER – #27 EDWARD CABRERA

• Edward Cabrera, 25, will make his 10th start of the season and his second career start against the Rockies tomorrow.
• In last outing at Colorado (June 1, 2022), became 1 of just 8 visiting pitchers in the history of Coors Field to pitch 6.0 scoreless innings and allow 1 hit or less.
• In his most recent start on May 17 vs. Washington, improved to 3-3 on the year and tossed 5.0 innings of 2-run ball. Allowed 4 hits and 2 walks. Struck out 6.
• In 14 career starts at home, owns a 4.37 ERA (68.0 IP/31 ER) and has gone 6-4 with 69 strikeouts. In 16 starts away is 3-6 with a 3.97 ERA (70.1 IP/31 ER) and 89 strikeouts.
• Lefties are hitting .179 (15×84) vs. Cabrera in 2023 with 4 home runs and 30 strikeouts while right-handed hitters are batting .284 (18×62) with 2 home runs and 25 strikeouts.
• Walked a combined 20 batters in his first 5 starts of 2023. Has walked 5 in last 3 outings.
• Set a new career-high with 12 strikeouts vs Chicago – NL on April 29.
• Made 14 starts at the Major League level last year after being recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville on May 31, 2022. Was named to MLB.com’s All-Rookie Second Team.
• In 7 starts at home in 2022, went 3-3 with a 4.58 ERA (35.1 IP/18 ER). Posted a 1.49 ERA (36.1 IP/6 ER) in 7 starts away, allowing 10 less hits than at home.
• Made four consecutive scoreless outings (22.2 IP) after returning from injury from Aug. 1 until Aug. 22, becoming the second pitcher in franchise history to make four consecutive scoreless starts, joining Chris Hammond in 1994.

COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:

WHAT’S GOING ON

• The Colorado Rockies return home today for a seven-game homestand against the Miami Marlins (May 22-25) and New York Mets (May 26-28) … coming off a quick three-game trip to Texas, where they were swept by the Rangers for the first time.
• The Rockies are in the midst of a stretch of 17 straight games without an off-day from May 19-June 4, their longest stretch without an off day this season.
• Colorado has won four of their last six series since May 2 and five of their last eight series since April 24 … had lost or split each of their first seven series of the season prior to this stretch.
• The Rockies have won 11-8 over their last 19 and 13-11 through their last 24 since April 24, a .542 winning percentage that is the fifth-best mark in the NL over that span.

SEAFOOD

• The Rockies have won 11 of the past 14 home games over the Marlins and eight of the last nine … overall, the Rockies are 106-117 against their fellow expansion team, 67-44 at home.
• In 36 career games against the Fish, Kris Bryant is 35-for-132 with 11 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs and 28 RBI … is slashing .265/.400/.614 in the match up.

UPPER ECHELON

• Rockies Manager Bud Black is sitting at 436 wins with the Rockies since his first season with the club in 2017, four wins shy of tying Don Baylor for the second-most managerial wins in franchise history … Baylor, the Rockies’ first manager in franchise history, went 440-469 in six seasons at the helm from 1993-98.

GO FAR WITH PROFAR

• OF Jurickson Profar holds an active 29-game on-base streak, the longest active streak in the Majors and the third-longest streak in the Majors this season, trailing Yordan Alvarez (36 games) and Xander Bogarts (30 games) … slashing .267/.358/.414 through the streak with 17 walks.
• Since May 7, Profar is batting .348 (16-for-46)with five doubles, two home runs, seven RBI and seven multi-hit games over this span … has multiple hits in each of his last three games (7-for-15), tied for the third longest streak of his

NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S DOILY

• Over his last seven games, rookie outfielder Brenton Doyle has gone 9-for-24 with six runs, two doubles, one triple, three home runs and eight RBI.
• Last Monday at Coors Field, Doyle connected on two home runs, his third and fourth of the season, while going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, one double and three RBI … his 10 total bases were the most in franchise history out of the ninth spot in the order, and tied for the fourth-most by a Rockies rookie in franchise history, the most since Ben Paulsen’s 12 on July 26, 2015 vs. Cincinnati.
• Despite playing in only 22 games, Doyle’s four home runs are tied for sixth-most among NL rookies while his six stolen bases are the fourth-most among all NL rookies.

BEHIND THE DISH

• Catcher Elias Díaz ranks fourth in the Majors with a .326 batting average and ninth in the Majors with a .436 batting average (17-for-39) with runners in scoring position.
• Has appeared in 39 games at catcher, tied for the second-most in the Majors … his 10 catcher caught stealing are tied for second in the Majors, while his 44.0 caught stealing percentage ranks second (min. 20 games).

THROWERS

• Jake Bird ranks first among Major League relievers with 31.0 innings pitched … his 31 strikeouts are tied for the fifth in the Majors among relief pitchers … has posted a 0.71 ERA (25.1 IP, 2 ER) with eight walks and 27 strikeouts over his last 16 appearances since April 11.
• Brent Suter’s 28.2 innings of relief are tied for third in the Majors and are second in the NL behind Bird … his 0.94 ERA (28.2 IP, 3 ER) is the seventh-lowest in the Majors among relievers … it is also the third-lowest through a Rockies pitcher’s first 19 games (min. 10 IP) with the club, trailing John Axford (0.50, 2015) and Chuck McElroy (0.93, 1998).

ODDS AND ENDS

• The Rockies are the only team in the Majors to have an undefeated record after seven innings, sitting at 18-0 when leading after seven thus far … alternatively, the Rockies are 0-24 when trailing after seven innings.

ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER – #45 CHASE ANDERSON RHP
HEADING OUT WEST

• Chase Anderson will make his second start in a Rockies uniform today after being claimed off of waivers from Tampa Bay on May 12.
• Designated for assignment by Tampa Bay on May 10 … was acquired by Tampa Bay via trade with Cincinnati in exchange for cash considerations on May 3.
• Was signed by the Reds to a Minor League contract on Feb. 20 after spending the 2022 season with the club.

ANNOUNCE HIS PRESENCE WITH AUTHORITY

• Made his first career start with the Rockies on May 16 vs. the Reds, drawing a no decision in a 3-1 Rockies loss … pitched five scoreless innings with one hit allowed, one walk and three strikeouts … left after five innings with the game tied 0-0.
• Became the ninth pitcher in franchise history to toss at least five scoreless innings in his first start with the club, the first since Antonio Senzatela did so in his Major League debut on April 6, 2017 … first Rockies pitcher to accomplish the feat in a home game since Drew Pomeranz on his Major League debut on Sept. 11, 2011.

RAYS OF SUNSHINE

• Has tossed 10 total innings this season and allowed three singles and two walks with five strikeouts.
• Made two appearances for Tampa Bay on May 3 and May 9, both in relief after being acquired from Cincinnati on May 3.
• Pitched five innings without allowing a run in his relief appearances … allowed two hits and one walk, while striking out two.
• Tossed three scoreless innings on May 3 vs. Pittsburgh, garnering his first career save in an 8-1 Rays win.

HISTORY AT A MILE HIGH

• Over his 10-year career he has made seven starts at Coors Field, going 2-3 with a 6.55 ERA (34.1 IP, 25 ER), 14 walks and 25 strikeouts … has allowed 38 hits in his 34.1 innings at Coors Field (.292 average), including five home runs.

JOURNEYMAN

• The Rockies are Anderson’s seventh club in his MLB career.
• Previously made stops with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2014-15), Milwaukee Brewers (2016-19), Toronto Blue Jays (2020), Philadelphia Phillies (2021), Cincinnati Reds (2022), and Tampa Bay Rays (2023).

GONE FISHIN’

• Has made nine career starts and one relief appearance against Miami, going 3-3 with a 4.14 ERA (50.0 IP, 23 ER).
• Only career relief appearance against the Marlins came the last time he faced them, May 24, 2021 at loanDepot Park.

TURN THE CALENDAR

• Made seven starts and two relief appearances for Cincinnati in 2022, going 2-4 with a 6.38 ERA (24.0 IP, 17 ER) … went 2-3 with a 6.04 ERA in his seven starts, but posted a 2.18 ERA in five starts in September.
• Began the season with Detroit after signing a Minor League contract on March 14 … on July 16 requested and was granted his release and on July 25 was signed to a Minor League contract by Tampa Bay … requested and was granted his release from Tampa Bay on Aug. 25 and two days later was signed by the Reds.
• Appeared in 27 games in the Minor Leagues with Triple-Toledo (Detroit) and Triple-A Durham (Tampa Bay), going 7-3 with a 4.50 ERA.

FOR THE PHANATIC

• Spent the 2021 season with Philadelphia after signing a one-year Major League contract with the club on Feb. 8 … posted a 6.75 ERA (48.0 IP, 36 ER) in 14 appearances (nine starts) … began the season in the starting rotation but transitioned to the bullpen in mid May.