Miami Marlins' Jose Fernandez hopes to end slump Monday

MIAMI -- Jose Fernandez will make his seventh start of the season on Monday -- and it's an important one for the Miami Marlins.

The Marlins, who will face the Milwaukee Brewers, are hoping Fernandez (3-2, 4.28 ERA) can return to the form he has displayed in his three seasons prior to 2016.

Before this year, Fernandez's ERAs were 2.19, 2.44 and 2.92 as he compiled a 22-9 record.

Fernandez has yet to throw more than six innings in a start this season, and he hasn't been very efficient with his pitch counts. An example of that came on Opening Day, when he needed 106 pitches to navigate through 5 2/3 innings in a loss to the Detroit Tigers.

He struck out 13 in that game. But in the five starts subsequent to the one against Detroit, he has averaged 6.8 strikeouts -- below his lofty standards.

Fernandez is 19-1 in his career at Marlins Park. But this year, Fernandez has pitched better on the road (3.71 ERA) than he has at home (4.86 ERA).

Here is another disturbing trend for Fernandez -- batters are hitting .391 against him in the first inning, where he has allowed five runs in six starts. The first inning is his worst inning this year by far.

So Monday represents another opportunity for Fernandez to start strong, pitch well at home and dominate.