Lineup & How to Watch the Miami Marlins Try to Avoid a Series Sweep Against the Pittsburgh Pirates
The 2024 season couldn't have started much worse than it did for the Miami Marlins.
Not only did the team drop the first three games of the season to the Pittsburgh Pirates, but they burned several bullpen options to do it, with the team's relievers being required to cover nineteen innings in the first three games of the season. Thursday's Opening Day contest went twelve innings, spoiling a great start from Jesús Luzardo, while Ryan Weathers and converted closer A.J. Puk were able to give the team only six combined innings in their two starts on Friday and Saturday.
And so, Miami's called up Vladimir Gutierrez and will have him as a fresh option out of the bullpen for today's game, but the hope is that Trevor Rogers doesn't call on as much bullpen support as the first three games of the season have needed.
Lineups for the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, March 31st
Here's how the Marlins will line up for the contest:
2B Luis Arraez
DH Josh Bell
1B Jake Burger
LF Bryan De La Cruz
CF Jazz Chisholm Jr.
SS Tim Anderson
RF Avisaíl García
C Nick Fortes
3B Vidal Bruján
Starting for the Marlins, as we mentioned earlier, is Trevor Rogers. The 26-year-old got in only four games at the MLB level for Miami last season, owing to multiple injured list stints. He performed well in spring, pitching 8.2 innings with only three earned runs, striking out ten and walking just two. He has two career starts against Pittsburgh, going 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in his 11.1 innings.
Here's how the Pirates will line up as they go for the sweep:
LF Connor Joe
DH Bryan Reynolds
3B Ke'Bryan Hayes
RF Edward Olivares
CF Jack Suwinski
2B Jared Triolo
1B Rowdy Tellez
SS Alika Williams
C Jason Delay
Starting for Pittsburgh is lefty Bailey Falter, who is coming off of a rough spring training (0-2, 7.86 ERA in 16 IP) but is 2-0 against Miami in his six career appearances (three starts). Several Marlins have hit him well, with Josh Bell (4-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Jake Burger (1-2, HR, 3 RBI), and Bryan De La Cruz (3-7, 2 HR, 2 RBI) all hitters to watch for on Sunday afternoon.
How to Watch the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, March 29th
Game Four of 162 is scheduled for a 1:40 PM ET first pitch with a full suite of broadcast options. In market, the Marlins can be found on Bally Sports Florida while the Pirates broadcast is on SportsNet-PIT, while out of market can view both feeds on MLB.tv. For audio, the Marlins are airing the game on FOX Sports 940AM (WINZ) & WAQI 710 while the Pirates broadcast can be found on KDKA-FM 93.7.
Is the Roof of loanToday Park Open or Closed?
If you were curious, the roof at loanToday Park is OPEN for this game.
Closed: 0-1
Open: 0-2
Managing Editor for Blackerby Media, covering the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins Also: Senior Baseball Writer for Auburn Daily, member of both the National College Baseball Writers Association and Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (where he won the 2023 Prospects, Minors, & College Writer of the Year award)