Tuesday night’s game between the Colorado Rockies and the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park sets the stage for a meeting of two struggling franchises trying to find some form of midseason identity. The Marlins, at 23–35, have not met early-season expectations, but they’ve shown competitive fire at times, particularly at home where they’ve won more consistently and have kept games close enough to stay in contention against the spread. Their 6–4 win in Monday’s series opener gave them a confidence boost and an opportunity to continue their modest climb, while also highlighting their advantage against a Colorado team that enters this matchup at 10–50, the worst record in baseball and one of the worst through 60 games in MLB history. For the Marlins, the key has been getting just enough offense to back up an inconsistent pitching staff. With Jesús Sánchez and Jake Burger providing pop and timely hitting in the middle of the order, Miami has been able to scratch out runs despite a lack of star power. Burger, in particular, continues to show off the power stroke that made him a standout last season, while players like Bryan De La Cruz and Nick Fortes have stepped up in stretches to give the team added lineup depth. Although Sandy Alcantara has struggled mightily this year with an inflated ERA and loss of command, the Marlins’ bullpen has held up well enough at home, keeping them competitive in games where they get early run support.

They’ll be looking for Alcantara to regain even a glimpse of his former Cy Young form against a Rockies offense that has struggled to produce consistently, especially outside of Coors Field. For the Rockies, this season has turned into a nightmare, and with a 20–39 record against the spread, they’ve been tough for bettors and fans alike to trust. They’ve been underdogs in nearly every game and have rarely rewarded that label, with a 10–21 ATS record as road underdogs underscoring how often they’ve failed to even stay competitive. The lone bright spot in their lineup lately has been shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who notched five hits in a single game this past weekend, providing a glimpse of the young talent that the team hopes to build around. Colorado is expected to give the ball to Chase Dollander, one of their top pitching prospects, who will be making his major league debut under less-than-ideal circumstances. It’s a tough ask for any rookie pitcher to face a lineup in a pitcher-friendly park, let alone with one of the league’s worst defensive teams behind him and limited offensive support. The Rockies will need to play flawless baseball to compete—limiting walks, playing clean defense, and hoping their few impact hitters can do damage early. Their best shot at victory is taking advantage of Alcantara’s recent struggles and trying to string together runs before Miami’s bullpen can take control of the late innings. This game is unlikely to attract major headlines, but for fans of both clubs, it offers a glimpse at potential future pieces and the kind of gritty baseball that comes when two teams are trying to claw out of losing stretches. Miami has the edge on paper and on form, but the Rockies are due for something to go their way—and if Dollander shines, this could be the night they turn a page, if only slightly.