San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies Prediction: Can the Rockies Get Hot Early on Opening Day?
The Colorado Rockies will face off against the San Diego Padres for Opening Day. Can the Rockies get hot early? Ben Rajavuori answers.
Ben Rajavuori - March 30, 2023, 4:55 PM EDT
5 minSan Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies Prediction: Can the Rockies Get Hot Early on Opening Day?
MLB Opening Day is here, and the Colorado Rockies will face off against the San Diego Padres in the opening game of the season at Petco Park. The first pitch will be at 9:40 pm ET, and both teams will be eager to start the season off on the right foot. The Padres are looking to improve upon their 89-73 record from last year, which earned them a Wild Card spot and a place in the National League Championship Series.
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San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies Prediction
On the other hand, the Rockies will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 campaign in which they finished last in the NL West with a record of 68-94. However, the Rockies had one bright spot last season, as they were the best-hitting team in the league against left-handed pitching. They had a batting average of .274 with a .770 OPS, which was the highest average against left-handed pitching in the league. They face the lefty Blake Snell today.
The Padres are a team that has high expectations for the 2023 season. Despite the suspension of star player Fernando Tatis Jr., the team has a strong and deep lineup and rotation that is capable of competing with the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West crown. The Padres are hoping to build on last season's success, and the addition of Xander Bogaerts from the Boston Red Sox to the team should provide them with a solid bat and a versatile defender. Bogaerts played his entire career with the Red Sox and will immediately jump to the top of the order to start the season.
As for the Rockies, they will send German Marquez to the mound as their starting pitcher for the opener. Marquez is coming off a disappointing 2022 season, during which he went 9-13 with a 4.95 ERA. However, he looked sharp in Spring Training, posting a .53 ERA in 17 innings of work with 20 strikeouts and only two walks. If he can carry that form into the regular season, he could give the Rockies a chance to compete against the Padres. I think this could be a bounce-back season for Marquez.
Given the success the Rockies have had against left-handed pitching and even Snell specifically, I think the Rockies can have a lead after five innings or at least be tied. While the Padres are the stronger team overall, the Rockies' success against left-handed pitching could give them an advantage early in the game. Additionally, Marquez's solid performance in Spring Training is a good sign, even though I know spring training numbers are not a strong indicator of regular-season success.
A lot of people think the Rockies will be one of the worst teams in the league, and they might be, but this is a sneaky spot with some value on the road team to start the season. I like the Rockies to be tied or leading after five innings. I don't like the full-game bet because of their horrid bullpen.
San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies Pick
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Padres vs. Rockies Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: Thursday, March 30, 2023
- Game Time: 9:40 pm ET
- Where to Watch: MLB Extra Innings
