Manager Bud Black "strongly hinted" Wednesday that Marquez will start the Rockies' Opening Day game July 24 in Texas versus the Rangers, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
Colorado never formally announced an Opening Day starter before MLB went on hiatus in mid-March, but Marquez was always viewed as the odds-on favorite for the nod after leading all Rockies starters in innings (174), strikeout rate (24.3 percent) and xFIP (3.54) in 2019. Marquez's overall numbers were marred by pitching at altitude at Coors Field (6.26 ERA in 73.1 innings at home), but he'll at least benefit from making his first 2020 start on the road in the inaugural game at Globe Life Field, which is expected to play more pitcher-friendly than its predecessor, Globe Life Park in Arlington.