The Pirates are coming into this game with Mitch Keller on the mound to open up the season. Keller went 1-0 in Spring Training with a 4.50 ERA in his 4 starts. He pitched very well in his last 2 starts to finish up Spring Training, but he still allowed 6 earned runs and 12 hits in his 12 innings played. Last season, he was 13-9 with a 4.21 ERA by the end of the year and he finished the season allowing at least 7 earned runs in 2 of his last 4 starts. He also gave up 4 earned runs in his 1st start of the season last year and consistency has been a big issue with him throughout his career. They are going up against a Marlins team that is starting Jesus Luzardo in this game. Luzardo was 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA in Spring Training as he allowed 7 earned runs and 13 hits in his 12 innings pitched. He was awful in his last 2 starts to finish Spring Training, but he was a very good starter for the Marlins last season and was one of the best in their rotation. He finished the season 10-10 with a 3.58 ERA and allowed 2 earned runs or less in each of his last 3 as well as 6 of his last 7 starts to end last season. He also opened last season with 2 straight starts at home which he allowed 1 earned run in between the 2 starts, and he also faced the Pirates once last season which was a game he allowed no runs in 7 innings pitched. The Pirates are going to be an improved team this season but so are the Marlins and they already have the edge with their starter as Luzardo has been more consistent during the regular season than Keller has. The Marlins also have a much stronger lineup with a lot of talent this year and they are going to be a threat to make the playoffs. The Marlins are going to get off to a strong start at home and win this opening game.