First pitch: Monday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Miami -150, Colorado +140, Total: 6.5

The Rockies embark on a new season when they visit the Marlins and face the 2013 NL Rookie of the Year, Jose Fernandez.

Colorado had the worst record (74-88) in the NL West in the 2013 season as it dealt with a wealth of injuries to its star players and pitching staff. The Rockies will have much higher expectations this year as they have brought in veterans at key positions such as 1B Justin Morneau, SP Brett Anderson and RP LaTroy Hawkins, and will watch their youngsters mature. Miami also held the last spot in its respective division (NL East) with a 62-100 record in 2013, but has two very exciting players (SP Jose Fernandez and OF Giancarlo Stanton) at the core of its franchise. The Marlins used their offseason to add some veteran presence but will be relying heavily on their farm system in the future. LHP Jorge De La Rosa (16-6, 3.49 ERA last season) will take the mound in this one for Colorado and had the best season of his career in his sixth year with the Rockies. The left-hander will be looking to lead this otherwise young staff in 2014. Toeing the rubber for the Marlins in their home opener is 21-year old phenom RHP Jose Fernandez (12-6, 2.19 ERA in 2013), who is coming off one of the best rookie seasons ever for a starting pitcher. These two clubs met seven times last year, with Miami taking four games, but winning only 1-of-3 games at home. The Rockies had the second-worst road record in the NL last year, going 29-52 (.358), but have a chance at a victory Monday, as the Marlins were just 36-45 (.444) at home in the 2013 season.

Colorado has been unable to come up with a consistent starting rotation for many years now, but was pleasantly surprised when LHP Jorge De La Rosa had a career year and pitched his second-most innings (167.2) over his 10 MLB seasons. In the previous two years, he combined to start just 13 games and pitch 69.2 innings (4.39 ERA) while sporting a career ERA of 4.70. He’s pitched 11 games (10 starts) against the Marlins, going 5-4 (1.59 WHIP) with a 5.33 ERA and 9.7 K/9. De La Rosa was stellar against them in two contests last season, pitching to a 2-0 record (1.27 WHIP) while allowing three runs and striking out eight in 11 innings. For the Marlins, 3B Casey McGehee is 2-for-5 (2 doubles) in his career against the Rockies' starter, while young OFs Giancarlo Stanton (1-for-6, 2 walks) and Christian Yelich (0-for-5) have really struggled in the matchup. Colorado's relief pitchers did not do well in 2013, going 20-28 with a 4.23 ERA while converting just 35-of-53 save opportunities (66%). Colorado is looking to improve its chances at the end of the game with the signing of closer LaTroy Hawkins (2.93 ERA, 13 saves in 2013) who has 101 career saves. LHP Rex Brothers (1.74 ERA, 19 saves last season) looks to be the future closer for this team and will also get his chances in the ninth inning.

Jose Fernandez surprised the baseball world when he skipped Double-A and Triple-A last season and finished third in the Cy Young voting. He was second in the NL in ERA (2.19), third in WHIP (0.98) and struck out 9.7 batters per nine innings (2nd in NL) for the 2013 season. Colorado could not stay out of the way of Fernandez, as he won both his starts against them while giving up just two runs and striking out 16 batters in 14 frames. Fernandez’s second start was simply amazing, as he tossed seven shutout innings (4 hits) while striking out eight batters (0 walks). OF Michael Cuddyer (2-for-6) and 2B D.J. LeMahieu (2-for-5) are the only two Rockies with multiple hits against the Marlins ace, while SS Troy Tulowitzki and OF Carlos Gonzalez are a combined 1-for-9 with five strikeouts against him. Miami’s relievers went 24-34 with a 3.42 ERA last season while converting 36-of-53 save chances (68%). Steve Cishek (4-6, 2.33 ERA last season) will enter his second full season as the Marlins closer and was amazing last year, saving 34 games in 36 chances (94%).