Florida Marlins-Colorado Rockies Preview

The Marlins are fresh off of sweeping the Pirates and are looking to build momentum. The Marlins will however be without the services of Logan Morrison for 2-4 weeks. Morrison was placed on the DL after yesterday's game and a corresponding move will be made today. My guess for that would be Brian Peterson. Marlins have the Rockies and Dodgers coming into Miami for the next two series. Marlins will start off with a three-game tilt with the Rockies on Friday night.

NL East Standings

Tm	W	L	Win%	GB
PHI	12	6	.667	–
FLA	11	6	.647	.5
WSH	9	9	.500	3.0
ATL	8	12	.400	5.0
NYM	6	13	.316	6.5

Stadium: Sun Life Stadium

Five-year Run PF*: 1.01

Five-year HR PF*: 0.97

Stadium Dimensions:

Left Field: 330 ft.

Left-Center: 361

Center Field: 404

Right-Center: 361

Right Field: 345

*Five-year regressed park factors provided by Patriot here

Projected Pitching Matchups

April 19: Anibal Sanchez vs Jhoulys Chacin
April 20: Javier Vazquez vs Esmil Rodgers

April 21: Josh Johnson vs Ubaldo Jimenez

Marlins projected lineup:

Coghlan, CF

Infante, 2B

Ramirez, SS

Sanchez, 1B

Dobbs, 3B

Stanton, RF

Cousins/Bonifacio, LF

Buck, C

Murphy, 3B 

Rockies Projected Lineup:

Fowler, CF

Herrera. 2B

Gonzalez, LF

Tulowitzski, SS

Helton, 1B

Smith, RF

Lopez, 3B
Iannetta, C

Marlins will have their first real out of division test this coming weekend and early next week. The Rockies are a dangerous offensive team that also features good pitching. The Rockies have Troy Tulowitzski, whom many regard in the game as the best short stop. He will get to counter the Marlins young superstar in Hanley Ramirez. I like the Marlins chances in games one and three. If Sanchez can improve on his last start and the Marlins offense continues to stay hot, Marlins will have a good shot at winning that game. Saturday, I don't like the matchup of Vazquez going at all. I don't believe he'll allow the Marlins hitters to have a chance to stay in the game.Of course, Easter Sunday provides us with a very interesting matchup. We get to see Josh Johnson go up against Ubaldo Jimenez. Ubaldo has struggled this season but it shouldn't be too long before he gets going again. Hopefully we'll be in for a treat Sunday. Josh Johnson should likely post another strong start for the Fish.

My prediction: Marlins take two of three and move into first place of the NL East for the first time this season.