The Major League Baseball season kicks off in earnest on Thursday with the majority of the teams playing their first game of the season. In San Diego, the Colorado Rockies will visit the Padres in an NL West opening-day matchup. Colorado looks to rebound from a last-place finish in the NL West in 2022. Meanwhile, the Padres come in hoping to take the next step after falling in the NLCS last season to Philadelphia. The pitching matchup for Thursday will feature Rockies right-hander German Marquez, who went 9-13 with a 5.00 ERA last season, vs. Padres lefty Blake Snell, 8-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 2022. The opening pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM EST.
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The Colorado Rockies face the daunting task of moving up in one of the most challenging divisions in baseball, after a last-place finish in 2022. The Rockies didn't make any major acquisitions, one season after making a major splash by signing former Giants and Cubs Kris Bryant to a multi-year deal. Bryant played just 42 games in his first season in Colorado due to injury. The Rockies will need a big season from Bryant this season if they want to compete. The Rockies also hope for solid years out of first baseman C.J. Cron and third baseman Ryan McMahon and hope that veteran DH Charlie Blackmon thrives with the rules changes regarding infield shifts. The Rockies' pitching staff lacks any major arms and will need the team's bats to keep them in games. The Rockies farm system is improving but help may be at least another year away.
Tovar's got tale nt ?? pic.twitter.com/3Espz0sY60
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 26, 2023
The Rockies will send Marquez to the mound for the opening day assignment against the Padres. Last season, Marquez was tied for the team lead in wins with nine on the season. In 24 career April starts, Marquez has gone 4-9 with an ERA of 4.69. He has been better on the road in his career with an ERA of 3.77 and a 34-30 record. Marquez went 1-0 with an ERA of 4.50 against the Padres last season. He allowed 14 hits in 12 innings and had a K/9 average of 9.75.
Key Injuries: Starting 2B Brandon Rogers could miss all of 2023 as he awaits news on whether or not he needs surgery on his dislocated shoulder.
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