The Jose Fernandez show returns for act 2 of the young 2014 season. The Miami ace looks to continue his perfect track record at Marlins Park after earning a win on Opening Day against the Colorado Rockies. But while the world knows about Fernandez, his counterpart is a young stud that has flew under the radar during his time in the Pro’s. Andrew Cashner takes the hill for his second start of 2014 after firing a 6 inning, 1 earned run performance against the Dodgers. The Marlins are trading as -145 favorites heading into the game.
Free Pick
Between two aces going against each other early in the season and two offenses that aren’t particularly powerful, I simply just don’t see many runs being scored in this one. Jose Fernandez is the best pitcher in the world right now and there isn’t any reason to believe any offense in the league scores more than two runs against him at Marlins Park. And the Padres aren’t necessarily the cream of the crop of Major League offenses. Fernandez should roll and the Padres won’t put up more than two runs, if they get any at all.
But Andrew Cashner had a tremendous season in his first as a full-time MLB starter. Cashner posted an ERA just over 3.00 and looks to be even stronger this season. With a full tank left in his right arm, Cashner should ascend into the top two or three tiers of starting pitchers this season as he proves worthy of San Diego’s ace; and in turn, lots of money. Cashner is nasty on right-handed batters, which should go a long way in neutralizing Giancarlo Stanton, who is really the only large offensive threat in the Miami lineup.
Miami is hitting the ball well very early on in the season, but this will be its first reasonably difficult test going up against Cashner. Fernandez will shine on the other side of each inning, so as long as Cashner can throw a quality start and the Padres’ bullpen avoids implosion, the under should come in here. And I expect a lot more than just a quality start from Cashner. Don’t fear the low number here and take the under.
Free Pick: San Diego/Miami U6.5
2014 YTD: 2-0 +2