The Miami Marlins are set to face off against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday at Coors Field, with the game commencing at 6:40 p.m. MT.
The Rockies enter this matchup as -126 moneyline favorites, with the game total predicted at 11 runs.
Miami (47-84 SU, 60-71 RL, and 72-56-3 O/U) will start right-hander Max Meyer. The 25-year-old has a record of 3-3, with a 5.44 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across nine appearances (46.1 IP) this season.
On the other side, Colorado (49-83 SU, 66-66 RL, and 66-63-3 O/U) will counter with left-hander Kyle Freeland. The 31-year-old holds a 3-6 record, accompanied by a 5.70 ERA and 1.49 WHIP over 15 starts (79.0 IP).
Injury Report
Marlins: SS Xavier Edwards (back) is unavailable.
Rockies: CF Brenton Doyle (leg) is questionable for the game.
*This article was published prior to the conclusion of Tuesday night’s game.*
Marlins Struggling on the Road
Miami dropped the first game of the series 3-2, unable to maintain a two-run advantage. The Marlins currently sit at 2-8 in their last ten games and 7-16 for the month.
Leading the Marlins are 3B Jake Burger (25 HR and .775 OPS) and RF Jesus Sanchez (16 HR and .709 OPS). They rank near the bottom in OBP (.295) and OPS (.664), with only 120 home runs this season (28th overall). Miami’s pitching staff has a 4.69 ERA (28th) and 1.39 WHIP (28th).
Max Meyer will take the mound for the Marlins. In his previous outing, he allowed three runs on six hits, including two home runs, against the Cubs. This season, Meyer has already surrendered 11 home runs in nine starts. Although he has never faced the Rockies, he holds a 1-2 record with a 5.68 ERA and 1.42 WHIP on the road, with a 35:14 K:BB ratio and .271 opponent batting average.
Rockies Seeking Consistency
The Rockies edged out the Marlins in the series opener, scoring three runs in the fifth and sixth innings. This victory marked their second win in three games, following an upset against the Yankees on Saturday. They currently hold a 5-5 record in their last ten games, with a 10-13 record in August.
Colorado’s lineup features 1B Michael Toglia (21 HR and .793 OPS), CF Brenton Doyle (21 HR and .800 OPS), and SS Ezequiel Tovar (19 HR and .751 OPS). They rank 21st in OBP (.305), 18th in OPS (.702), and 17th in home runs (141). However, their pitching staff struggles, holding a 5.50 ERA (30th) and 1.52 WHIP (30th).
Kyle Freeland will start for the Rockies on Wednesday night. In his latest appearance, he allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits, including two homers, in a 6.2-inning outing. Freeland has been more effective at Coors Field this season, posting a 3.86 ERA and 1.23 WHIP, compared to a 7.34 ERA and 1.73 WHIP on the road. He boasts a 2-0 record with a 3.60 ERA in six career starts against Miami.
Betting Insights for Miami Marlins vs. Colorado Rockies
Betting enthusiasts may find value in placing a wager on the Rockies to win and cover the spread, especially with odds nearing +150.
Freeland faces a Marlins team that has had difficulty against left-handed pitchers, posting a .229 batting average, .288 OBP, and .644 OPS. Additionally, Miami has struggled on the road this year, with a .234 batting average, .282 OBP, and .639 OPS. Freeland limited the Yankees to just two earned runs in his last start, showcasing his reliability at Coors Field. His 5.14 xERA suggests he might be due for improvement, as it is 0.56 points lower than his actual ERA.
Colorado appears likely to come out on top, with a strong possibility of winning by at least two runs. The Rockies have a batting line of .267/.333/.433/.766 at Coors Field, averaging 4.9 runs per game. Facing a rookie starter in Meyer, who has a concerning 6.75 ERA in night games and a 5.68 ERA on the road, may work in their favor. Meyer has also given up eight home runs in five starts this month, making him a target for Colorado’s power hitters.
Freeland should be able to outpitch Meyer, relieving pressure from the Rockies’ bullpen. If Colorado can connect for a couple of home runs against Meyer, they will be on track for a comfortable victory!
