Colorado Rockies vs Miami Marlins Picks and Predictions August 29th 2024

Youth movement on display as Marlins, Rockies conclude series

Thursday’s matchup between the Marlins and Rockies is set to get started at 3:10 PM ET from Coors Field in Denver. The Rockies are the slight money line favorite, with their odds sitting at -125, while the Marlins are at +106. The over/under line is currently at 11.5 runs.

Miami will be looking to pull off the upset with Valente Bellozo on the mound, while the Rockies are starting Bradley Blalock. Both teams are 5th in their respective divisions, with the Marlins being 48-85 overall, and the under Rockies are 50-84. BSFL will be televising Thursday’s game.

Miami vs. Colorado Key Information

• Teams: Marlins at Rockies
• Where: Coors Field Denver
• Date: Thursday, August 29th
• Betting Odds COL -125 | MIA +106 O/U 11.5

The Marlins Can Win If…

Miami is sending right-hander Valente Bellozo to the mound today as he faces the Rockies on the road. Bellozo has made seven starts this year and has a record of 2-2 with a 3.35 ERA. In his last outing, he took the loss, giving up five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work. Before that, he had put together three straight scoreless outings. Bellozo’s WHIP for the season is 1.25, and opponents are batting .234 off him this year. Per nine innings, he is averaging 6.69 strikeouts and 3.11 walks.

Heading into today’s game, the Marlins are 29th in the league in runs per game at 3.7. They have been slightly better at home, averaging 4.1 runs per contest. As a team, the Marlins are batting .240, which is 12th in the league, and their team on-base percentage is just 24th in the league. Miami has also been one of the league’s worst teams at drawing walks.

Jake Burger has been a bright spot for the Marlins this season, as he is hitting .248 with a team-high 25 home runs and 59 RBIs. He is also on a four-game hitting streak. Jesús Sánchez has also been swinging the bat well of late, going 5/13 in his last four games, with two homers and eight RBIs.

• The Marlins are 3-7 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Marlins are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Miami has an over/under record of 5-4-1 in their last ten games.
• The Marlins have an average of 4.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Marlins are 5-5
• Looking back across the Marlins last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Miami has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Marlins have averaged 4.0 runs per game on offense

The Rockies Can Win If…

Bradley Blalock will be making his third start of the season for the Rockies, and he is coming off a win over the Yankees in his last outing. In that start, he went 5 1/3 innings, giving up 2 earned runs and striking out 5. Blalock has yet to go more than 5 2/3 innings in a start this season.

Colorado’s offense has been solid at home this season, averaging 5 runs per game, which is 5th in the league. Overall, they are 18th in the league at 4.3 runs per contest. The Rockies have been one of the better hitting teams in the league this season, with a team batting average of .244 (10th). They have three players with at least 21 homers, including Ezequiel Tovar, who is batting .274 and has gone deep 21 times.

Tovar has been hot of late, going 7/19 in his last four games, with two homers and six RBIs. Jake Cave is also swinging a hot bat right now, going 8/20 in his last five games. Brenton Doyle and Drew Romo are both on three-game hitting streaks.

• The Rockies are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Rockies are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Colorado has an over/under record of 4-6 in their last ten games.
• The Rockies have an average of 6.2 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Rockies are 2-8
• Looking back across the Rockies last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Colorado has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Rockies have averaged 3.2 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Our lean for an over/under pick would be to take the under, as this is our lowest projected scoring game of the day. For a money line pick, we would be leaning toward the Rockies to come out on top. Colorado starter Bradley Blalock has the highest strikeout projection among today’s starters.

In a season marked by rebuilding efforts, the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins are showcasing their next generation of talent as they vie to climb out of the National League basement. As the two teams wrap up their four-game series at Coors Field, the focus is squarely on the promising rookies who represent the future of these franchises.

Rockies Look to Secure Series Win

After bouncing back from a tough loss on Tuesday, the Rockies secured an 8-2 victory on Wednesday, setting up a chance to take three of four games in the series finale on Thursday afternoon. This series has been a showcase of young talent, with both teams committed to giving their rookies valuable major league experience.

Rookies on the Mound: Bellozo vs. Blalock

The spotlight will be on the pitchers in Thursday’s finale, as rookie right-handers Valente Bellozo of the Marlins and Bradley Blalock of the Rockies take the mound. Bellozo, who was acquired by Miami from the Houston Astros earlier this season, has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly on the road where he boasts a 1.61 ERA. His challenge will be maintaining that level of performance against a Rockies team eager to capitalize on their home-field advantage.

Blalock, a recent addition to the Rockies’ roster, is coming off his first major league win, a solid 5 1/3 innings performance against the New York Yankees. Although this will be his fourth career start, he has already shown poise on the mound, and the Rockies are hopeful he can continue his upward trajectory.

Miami’s Youth Movement: Griffin Conine and Connor Norby

Miami’s infusion of young talent has been evident throughout the series, with Griffin Conine making a significant impact in his first major league start. The son of former Marlins All-Star Jeff Conine, Griffin has quickly made a name for himself, delivering a double and a triple on Tuesday, followed by an RBI single on Wednesday. Another standout for the Marlins is Connor Norby, who has been a consistent presence since his debut earlier this month.

Veteran outfielder Jesus Sanchez, who delivered a dramatic ninth-inning home run on Tuesday, has been a vocal supporter of his young teammates. “Collectively, I think we’re very young, a very young group of guys,” Sanchez said through an interpreter. “I think they’re doing an outstanding job. I’m very happy for them, and looking into the future, I think we have a bright future with this group.”

Colorado’s Rising Star: Ezequiel Tovar

For the Rockies, shortstop Ezequiel Tovar continues to impress in his first full major league season. Tovar, who homered twice on Tuesday and added a two-run double on Wednesday, has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging year for Colorado. His defensive prowess and clutch hitting have earned him high praise from both teammates and manager Bud Black.

“He’s played really well at shortstop,” Black noted. “And you combine that with 21 homers and fourth in the NL in hits, it’s been a really good year for ‘Tovie.'”

Starting pitcher Cal Quantrill also had high praise for Tovar, emphasizing his growth as a player. “He’s continuing to get better,” Quantrill said. “He’s taking better at-bats every week. Most importantly, he’s playing every day and playing great defense, too, so he’s doing it on both sides of the ball. They’ve got a special one here for a long time.”

A Glimpse into the Future

Despite their struggles this season, both the Rockies and Marlins can find solace in the potential of their young players. Colorado, which is on pace for a second consecutive 100-loss season, and Miami, fighting to stay out of the National League’s cellar, are using this time to develop the talent that could form the core of future contending teams.

The youthful energy on display in this series offers a promising glimpse into what both franchises could become in the coming years. With rookies like Conine, Norby, Bellozo, Blalock, and Tovar stepping up, fans have reason to be optimistic about the future.

As the series concludes on Thursday, all eyes will be on these emerging stars, who represent hope and renewal for their respective teams. Regardless of the outcome, the experience gained in these games will be invaluable as these young players continue their journey in the majors.

Conclusion

The Rockies and Marlins are closing out this series with a focus on the future, giving their rookies a chance to shine. As both teams look to build on the foundation laid by their young talents, Thursday’s finale is more than just another game—it’s a step toward what each franchise hopes will be a brighter future.

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