Game Preview: Nicasio vs. Eovaldi

The bats have to come around some time, right? This is the same team that scored at will in April, right?

Juan Nicasio takes the hill for the Rockies for today's 1:10 game. Nicasio was okay in his last start, giving up one run on three hits in five innings of work against the Cubs. He still showed a maddening inability to put hitters away, which drove up his pitch count and led to the five-and-dive. The final piece in Nicasio's development is to either strike those guys out or induce weak contact.

He'll be taking on Nathan Eovaldi, who I'm told is on loan from the Riders of Rohan. Eovaldi came to Miami in the Hanley Ramirez salary dump trade. He has been unremarkable in six games started, boasting a 4.15 ERA and middling strikeout numbers. Still, he's a hard thrower, and the way the Rockies are hitting right now, a slow-pitch softball machine could throw a three hit shutout.

Today's lineup has a noticeable lack of Troy Tulowitzki. This is probably just a scheduled off day for the Rockies' star, and he has been scuffling a bit lately as well. Jonathan Herrera takes his spot at short stop.

Colorado Rockies:
1. CF: Dexter Fowler
2. 2B: DJ LeMahieu
3. LF: Carlos Gonzalez
4. 1B: Michael Cuddyer
5. C: Wilin Rosario
6. RF: Charlie Blackmon
7. 3B: Nolan Arenado
8. SS: Jonathan Herrera
9. SP: Juan Nicasio

Miami Marlins:
1. SS: Adeiny Hechavarria
2. LF: Christian Yelich
3. RF: Giancarlo Stanton
4. 1B: Logan Morrison
5. 3B: Ed Lucas
6. 2B: Donovan Solano
7. CF: Jake Marisnick
8. C: Rob Brantly
9. SP: Nathan Eovaldi