MIAMI -- Can the upstart Pirates surprise pundits in the wide-open National League Central? Will the Marlins prove last season wasn¡¯t a fluke?

These 2024 narratives will begin on Thursday afternoon, when Pittsburgh and Miami square off for an Opening Day matchup at loanDepot park to kick off a four-game series.

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The last time these clubs met, the 84-win Marlins clinched an NL Wild Card berth in Pittsburgh under the tutelage of NL Manager of the Year Skip Schumaker. The Pirates, who lost five of seven head-to-head matchups, improved by 14 wins from 2022 to 2023, finishing 76-86.

Internal expectations are higher for the Pirates than they were last year, as they saw their 20-9 start in April and 29-28 finish over the final two months as signs they can play at a competitive pace. The good news is most of their core has been signed to long-term extensions (Bryan Reynolds, Ke¡¯Bryan Hayes, Mitch Keller), there¡¯s plenty of top prospects on the way (most notably last year¡¯s first overall pick Paul Skenes) and they get Oneil Cruz after he missed virtually all of 2023. It¡¯s reasonable to think better days are ahead, perhaps even in 2024. The question is do they have enough starting pitching, and can this young core continue to grow together in the Majors.

Preseason postseason chances (28.8%) are once again low for Miami, which will be without ace Sandy Alcantara (Tommy John surgery) and All-Star slugger Jorge Soler (signed with San Francisco). But not only will the Marlins return everyone else in their lineup, but they also upgraded at shortstop (Tim Anderson) and catcher (Christian Bethancourt). And despite injuries to a trio of starting pitchers, their staff is deeper than last season.

When is the game and how can I watch it?

First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET on Thursday. The game can be streamed on MLB.TV. SportsNet Pittsburgh will carry the game in the local Pittsburgh market, as will Bally Sports Florida in the South Florida market.

What are the likely lineups?

Pirates: The Pirates finished 28th in catcher OPS last season (.589) and 26th in shortstop OPS (.626). They¡¯re going to bank on Henry Davis and Oneil Cruz sparking the offense and turning those weaknesses into strengths. The Pirates scored 101 more runs in 2023 than they did in 2022 (692 versus 591), but they¡¯re going to need to take another similar leap to get to the upper-third of league offenses. The amount of lefties in the Marlins¡¯ rotation could lead to Connor Joe getting looks this series, especially to add another right-hander to the lineup.

1. Connor Joe, RF (R)
2. Bryan Reynolds, LF (S)
3. Ke¡¯Bryan Hayes, 3B (R)
4. Andrew McCutchen, DH (R)
5. Henry Davis, C (R)
6. Oneil Cruz, SS (L)
7. Jared Triolo, 2B (R)
8. Rowdy Tellez, 1B (L)
9. Michael A. Taylor, CF (R)

Marlins: Miami is banking on full seasons from Jake Burger and Josh Bell to offset a lineup without Soler, but it will need to be a collective effort after the lineup finished with the NL¡¯s fewest runs. The addition of bounceback candidate Anderson gives the Marlins two former batting champions (also Luis Arraez). With right-hander Mitch Keller on the mound, Miami has four lefties and a switch-hitter in the lineup.

1. Luis Arraez, 2B (L)
2. Josh Bell, 1B (S)
3. Bryan De La Cruz, DH
4. Jazz Chisholm Jr., CF (L)
5. Jake Burger, 3B (R)
6. Jes¨²s S¨¢nchez, RF (L)
7. Tim Anderson, SS (R)
8. Nick Gordon, LF (L)
9. Nick Fortes, C (R)

Who are the starting pitchers?

Pirates: Mitch Keller is getting his second straight Opening Day start, becoming the first Pirate to go consecutive years since Francisco Liriano did it from 2014-2016. Keller completed his comeback from struggling pitcher to All-Star last season while also striking out 210 hitters, the franchise record for a right-hander. Keller made one start against the Marlins last season on June 22, when he struck out five over seven innings of one-run ball.

Marlins: With Alcantara sidelined due to Tommy John surgery, hometown kid Jes¨²s Luzardo will get his first Opening Day assignment. The 26-year-old Luzardo finished eighth in fWAR and ERA among NL qualifying pitchers in 2023, and he also set the single-season franchise record for a left-hander with 208 strikeouts. Last June 23, Luzardo tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in his lone start of the season against the Pirates.

How might the bullpens line up after the starter?

Pirates: Two-time All-Star David Bednar has got the ninth inning, while newcomer Aroldis Chapman gives the team a premier setup man. The injury bug hit the bullpen a bit, but Colin Holderman and Carmen Mlodzinski will also serve as leverage relievers once healthy. Ryan Borucki emerged as a lefty specialist last year, while Roansy Contreras is also going to start in the bullpen after struggling with his command this spring.

Marlins: Southpaws Tanner Scott and Andrew Nardi return as the club¡¯s closer and top setup man, respectively, but there is uncertainty as to who might bridge the gap from Luzardo to that duo. Right-hander Anthony Bender is a top option since looking sharp in his return from Tommy John surgery. So is righty George Soriano, who continues to earn rave reviews from Schumaker. Once a left-handed-heavy bullpen, Miami is stacked with righties in 2024.

Any injuries of note?

Pirates: The bullpen looks a bit shakier than anticipated, as Dauri Moreta (UCL surgery) is out for the year, while Holderman (illness) and Mlodzinski (right forearm) are starting on the 15-day injured list. Yasmani Grandal (plantar fasciitis) and Ji Hwan Bae (hip flexor) will begin the year on the 10-day IL, in addition to Johan Oviedo and Endy Rodr¨ªguez, who both had season-ending UCL surgeries this winter.

Marlins: Left-hander Braxton Garrett (general left shoulder soreness) and right-handers Edward Cabrera (right shoulder impingement), Eury P¨¦rez (mild right elbow inflammation), Calvin Faucher (right shoulder impingement) and JT Chargois (neck spasms) will all begin the season on the injured list.

Who¡¯s hot and who¡¯s not?

Pirates: Cruz hit seven home runs this spring, tied for the fourth-most in Pirates history, but he went hitless with eight strikeouts in his last four games. Triolo hit .310 with an .883 OPS to claim the second base job this spring. Contreras walked 14 hitters over 14 1/3 innings this spring.

Marlins: Arraez concluded Spring Training on a 10-game hitting streak to finish with a .386 average. Burger homered twice and doubled during a four-game hitting streak to wrap up Grapefruit League action. Fortes went just 3-for-30 (.100).

Anything else fans might want to know?

? There will be a pregame parade from Domino Park to loanDepot park, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Ballpark gates and entrances will open at 2 p.m., and fans are encouraged to be in their seats at 3:30 p.m. for the start of pregame ceremonies. A flyover by the US Navy is scheduled to take place with the national anthem. Weather permitting, the roof will be open.

? Pittsburgh holds a 117-104 advantage in the all-time series, and is 19-17 at loanDepot park since it opened in 2012. This marks the second time the clubs will face off on Opening Day (4-0 Pirates win on April 1, 1996 at Joe Robbie Stadium).

? The Marlins are 12-19 on Opening Day, having lost eight of their last nine. The club is 10-12 in season openers held in South Florida.

? The Pirates won last year¡¯s season opener against the Reds. They haven¡¯t won consecutive Opening Days since they won five in a row from 2007-2011.

? This marks the eighth straight year the Pirates start the season on the road.