(Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

As good as Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez was last season, there is every reason to believe this year could be better.

Sanchez (11-9, 3.32 ERA in 2024) will take the mound for the Phillies in their home opener on Monday afternoon when they begin a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.

Philadelphia took two of three against the Washington Nationals to open the season, while Colorado went 1-2 against the host Tampa Bay Rays.

Sanchez is primed to build on last season's breakout after drawing applause for his improved velocity during spring training. The 28-year-old finished the spring with a 1.62 ERA in five starts covering 16 2/3 innings.

'He's getting more comfortable,' Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler said. 'He's even more dangerous. It's so much easier to pitch when you're throwing that hard. You just miss bats a little tick more. And that little tick more helps you from inning to inning to get deeper in the game.'

Sanchez is 1-0 with a 2.87 ERA in three career starts against Colorado.

The Rockies, who lost 6-4 to Tampa Bay on Sunday, will start right-hander German Marquez (0-0, 6.75 ERA last season) in the series opener. Marquez was limited to a total of five starts over the past two seasons while battling elbow injuries.

Marquez, 30, made five starts in spring training and posted a 5.74 ERA over 15 2/3 innings, giving up eight walks with 10 strikeouts.

'He's got No. 1 type stuff,' Rockies manager Bud Black said. 'He's a good competitor, and he's been a great Rockie. He's a foundational piece for a rotation. You can say every night that he starts ... he can really put the screws to a really good lineup.'

Kyle Schwarber is 6-for-14 (.429) with two homers against Marquez, who is 3-2 with a 3.74 ERA in eight career starts against the Phillies.

The Rockies are looking for another solid outing after starting pitchers Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela and Ryan Feltner combined for a 1.17 ERA through the team's first three games across 15 1/3 innings.

Colorado received a boost in Sunday's loss from outfielder Mickey Moniak, who was signed at the end of spring training. Moniak hit a pinch-hit, two-out, two-run homer in his first plate appearance with his new team.

Rockies right fielder Nick Martini started all three games against Tampa Bay and went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run in Sunday's loss.

Second baseman Tyler Freeman was hit on the left wrist by a pitch in the sixth inning, but X-rays were negative.

Philadelphia is looking to bounce back after falling 5-1 to Washington on Sunday. The Phillies left 10 men on base and were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto (bruised left foot) and shortstop Trea Turner (back spasms) missed Sunday's contest and are listed as day-to-day. Realmuto is expected to be in the lineup on Monday, while Turner likely will be given another rest day.

Edmundo Sosa started in place of Turner on Sunday and went 2-for-4. The utilityman has four hits in eight at-bats to begin the season.

--Field Level Media