Monday, March 31, 7:10 PM on ESP2, FSFL

Marlins Park, Miami, Florida

Colorado - J. De La Rosa (0-0) vs. Miami - J. Fernandez (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Two last place teams in their respective divisions meet up to kick off 2014 and while neither have World Series aspirations, their fan bases are hoping to see some improvement. The Rockies were 74-88 a year ago but finished 18 games back from the Dodgers, a team that has the highest payroll this season. Miami was even worse, losing 100 games to finish 34 out of the NL East race.

Colorado gives the Opening Day nod to 2013 pleasant surprise Jorge De la Rosa, who went 16-6 in his first full season as a starter in three years. De La Rosa's success was predicated on keeping the ball in the park, improving his HR/9 stats from 4.2 in 2012 to just 0.9 a year ago. The ERA numbers can be improved upon in 2014 with 3.49 still being high for a quality starter but Colorado will take it with their depleted staff.

The Marlins have a nice potpourri of established talent and young prospects on their roster but it might not be enough to avoid 90+ losses again this year. The Opening Day starter is 21-year-old Cuban Jose Fernandez, entering his second year in the big leagues. Fernandez had an impressive rookie season posting a 12-6 record on a bad team while keeping his ERA down at 2.19. Fernandez notched two wins a year ago against Colorado, going 2-0 while pitching 7 innings in both games.

ATS Data

Colorado 

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games
Colorado is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Colorado's last 8 games when playing Miami

Miami 

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Miami's last 8 games when playing Colorado

Injuries to Watch

Colorado 

No injuries to report at this time

Miami 

No injuries to report at this time

Tony's Pick: Take Miami

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink