Eovaldi Looking To Follow Fernandez's Lead
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Marlins will be looking to capitalize on its wealth of young pitching again Tuesday night when right-hander Nathan Eovaldi takes the mound in the second-game of a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Marlins Park.
Eovaldi is arguably has arguably the fastest and most consistent fastballs in all of Major League Baseball. According to fangraphs.com, of all starting pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched last year, Eovaldi averaged 96.2 miles per hour.
But, Eovaldi knows that if he wants to excel as a number two starter behind Jose Fernandez, he's got to have more than just a high-velocity fastball.
"It's always about executing pitches for me," Eovaldi told MLB.com. "It's just executing your pitches and doing the small things right. Have better at-bats for us. Get the bunts down. Fielding your position. Do all the little things right."
Eovaldi finished spring training with a 1-2 record and a 3.44 ERA. He threw 16 strikeouts in 18.1 innings pitched. But, he also allowed opposing hitters to have a .263 average against him in spring.
What could help Eovaldi more than anything is another offensive explosion like the Marlins put together on opening night. After finishing last in the Major League last season in runs scored, the Marlins put 10 on the board in the first game of the 2014 season.
Just for comparison, last year the Marlins didn't score their first run until three games into the season.
Miami and Colorado have a first-pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.