Tag Archive for: Marlins

Xavier Edwards Impresses Despite Marlins’ Tough Times, Eyes Permanent Place

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Amidst the Miami Marlins’ strategic shift towards a future-focused approach aimed at constructing a competitive roster in the upcoming seasons, Xavier Edwards has emerged as a promising cornerstone for the team’s aspirations.

In a recent game against the Cincinnati Reds that drew a crowd of 9,460 spectators at loanDepot Park, Edwards showcased his potential with notable plays on defense and offense. Displaying his agility and skill set, the dynamic switch hitter impressed the audience by throwing out a runner at home, executing a diving stop to prevent a ball from reaching the outfield and delivering clutch singles in the fifth and seventh innings.

Xavier Edwards’ Path to the Pros

Hailing from Mineola, New York, and honing his baseball talents at North Broward Prep in Coconut Creek, Edwards embarked on his professional journey when he was selected 38th overall by the San Diego Padres in the 2018 MLB Draft. However, a pivotal trade on November 15, 2022, brought him to Miami alongside former Marlins pitcher JT Chargois in exchange for prospects Marcus Johnson and Santiago Suarez.

Transitioning from the minors to the major leagues, Edwards faced challenges along the way, underscoring the resilience, dedication, and perseverance that defined his development. Despite seeing limited action during Miami’s postseason run last year, where he posted a respectable slash line of .295/.329/.333 across 30 games, Edwards utilized the opportunity to acclimate himself to the Marlins’ environment, making his strides in influencing Marlins Betting Picks and priming himself for a more impactful role in the following season.

As the Marlins management observed Edwards throughout the 2023 campaign, culminating in a Wild Card Series appearance against the Philadelphia Phillies, they gained confidence in his ability to contribute consistently. With each game, Edwards continues to embody the potential and promise that makes him a key figure in the Marlins’ future endeavors, solidifying his position as a cornerstone player worth watching as the team navigates its path toward contention in the seasons ahead.

 

Comeback Story in 2024

At the onset of the 2024 season, Xavier Edwards found himself sidelined on the 10-day injured list due to a bacterial infection affecting his left foot. Despite this setback, Edwards’s return to action came sooner than anticipated, marking a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career.

Initially, the Marlins pinned their hopes on Tim Anderson, who was acquired in February to anchor the shortstop position. However, Anderson’s struggles at the plate, evidenced by a disappointing .214 batting average over 65 games, prompted the team to part ways with the veteran on July 2. In a strategic move, Miami opted to call up Edwards from Triple-A Jacksonville, granting him a second opportunity to shine in the Major League arena in 2024.

Since assuming the full-time starter role, Edwards has excelled in the leadoff spot, impressing with a remarkable .386 batting average and an impressive .933 OPS. His dynamic performance includes 12 stolen bases, 14 multi-hit games, and a notable achievement as only the second player in franchise history to hit for the cycle, a feat he accomplished against Milwaukee on July 28.

The swift ascent and impactful contributions of Edwards may come as a surprise to casual followers of the Marlins. Still, these accomplishments are a testament to the young infielder’s unwavering self-belief and dedication to his craft. Embracing the challenges and opportunities presented to him, Edwards has seamlessly integrated himself into the Marlins’ lineup, showcasing his versatility, speed on the basepaths, and ability to deliver clutch hits when it matters most.

Primed for Major League Stardom

As Edwards continues to make waves and solidify his position as a key player for Miami, his performance serves as a beacon of optimism for the team’s future aspirations. With each game, he cements his place in the Marlins’ roster and exemplifies the potential for growth and success in his promising baseball journey.

During a candid discussion with Joe Frisaro of Man On Second Baseball in February, Xavier Edwards reflected on the significance of perseverance and the value of a supportive environment as he celebrated the retirement of his No. 9 high school jersey. Emphasizing the importance of dedication, hard work, and a strong support system, Edwards highlighted the role of believing coaches and mentors in his journey.

President of Baseball Operations, Peter Bendix, and the entire front office team are optimistic about Edwards’s future, rooting for his sustained success and well-being. With his stellar performance and potential, Edwards stands a solid chance of earning a coveted spot on the Marlins’ Opening Day roster for the 2025 season, marking a significant milestone in his evolving baseball career.

Final Thoughts

As Edwards eyes a permanent place in the Marlins’ lineup, his stellar play, versatility, and unwavering self-belief position him as a critical figure in the team’s future plans. With each game, he continues to exemplify the potential for growth and success, embodying his optimism and promise to the Marlins as they navigate toward contention in the seasons ahead.

 

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Photos by Tony Capobianco

Miracle comeback gives Marlins the series vs. Yankees: 5 Takeaways

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The New York Yankees (60-58) rolled into LoanDepot Park to play the Miami Marlins (62-57) in a three-game set and the cardiac Fish were in full force. 

 

Trailing 7-3 heading into the ninth inning, Miami would end up scoring five runs to come back and not only win the game, but the series as well. I’m telling you, this team does not quit. 

 

But pitching was a bit questionable for Miami. 

 

Other than Sandy Alcantara’s complete game on Saturday, the Marlins starting pitchers really struggled against New York’s lineup.

 

Shortstop Anthony Volpe came up big for the Yankees as he hit a couple of home runs over the series. Right fielder Aaron Judge made his presence known by hitting a moonshot to center field in Game 1. Second baseman Gleyber Torres stole a career-high three bases in Game 3. 

 

But in the end, the Marlins found a way to win and are very much alive in that playoff chase. 

 

Here are five takeaways from the series. 

 

Jesus Luzardo’s outing to forget

 

It was a rough time on the mound for Marlins left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo. 

 

Luzardo got the start in Game 1 of the series and he did not look comfortable at all out there right from the jump. 

 

In just 3.1 innings, Luzardo gave up nine hits, seven earned runs that included a couple of homers off the bat of Anthony Volpe and Aaron Judge and one walk. We’re so used to seeing him put up impressive strikeout numbers but he only had two on the night. 

 

The second inning was where most of the damage was done. 

 

He allowed five hits and both of the home runs came in the second inning. 

 

The 3.1 innings were his lowest of the season while also giving up a season-high in hits and earned runs. 

 

ANOTHER complete game from Sandy

 

Alcantara looked the best he’s looked all year in Saturday’s game. 

 

He threw a complete game, the 12th of his career and an MLB-leading third on the season. 

 

“I think my consistency, throwing a strike,” Alcantara said about what was working for him after the game. “I think they (Yankees) just was (were) very aggressive today.”

 

In nine innings, Alcantara allowed five hits, one earned run, two walks and struck-out 10 Yankee hitters on 116 pitches. 

 

He now has 13 career double-digit strikeout games which puts him at a tie for second on the Marlins all-time leaderboard with Ricky Nolasco. Jose Fernandez sits at the top of the list with 18 games. 

 

“It was a really impressive outing at a time where our team needed it the most,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said about Alcantara’s outing after the game. 

 

If he can get back to his form that he was at a season ago, the Marlins just might have their ace back. 

 

Luis Arraez hit a ball into the upper deck 

 

Yes, you read that right. Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez hit just his fourth home run of the season against Yankees reliever Michael King in the first inning of Game 2. 

 

Arraez turned around a 97 mph fastball from King and sent the ball to the upper deck in right field. The home run ball’s distance was 409 feet, the longest of his career. 

 

“I just prepared my mind,” Arraez said about what he was looking for before his home run. “…I just lay action to that pitch. 97 (mph) inside and I just used my hands.”

 

Of course, Arraez isn’t known for his power, but by the way he consistently finds a way to put the ball in play.

 

“That was a tough pitch, 97 (mph) in on his hands,” Shumaker said about Arraez’s home run after Game 2. “He’s been working, he’s been kind of pissed off that he hasn’t been producing lately…He’s hitting .370 still so I think he’s going to be ok.”

 

Eury Perez hasn’t looked good

 

It’s been a rough couple of starts since being called back up to the Marlins for right-hander Eury Perez. 

 

He was on the mound for Game 3 of the series and it didn’t go as smooth as he hoped for. 

 

Perez logged four innings, allowed four hits, four earned runs, two walks and had five strikeouts. 

 

Perez allowed four runs in his last outing also which was against the Reds. 

 

He looked lights-out before being sent down back in early July and he just hasn’t performed at the same level as of late. It’ll be interesting to see if he can get it going going forward. 

 

A comeback for the ages

 

It was all Yankees in Game 3, at least for the first eight innings. 

 

Trailing 7-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, things looked bleak for the Marlins. 

 

“Let’s go Yankees” chants can be heard echoing around LoanDepot Park, fans were heading out of the stadium to beat the traffic and it was all smiles in the Yankees dugout. Until, Yuli Gurriel hit a leadoff double off of right-handed reliever Clay Holmes. 

 

The Marlins suddenly started to find their groove, stringing together some great at-bats. Nick Fortes hit an infield single, Jazz Chisholm Jr. drew a walk and next thing you know, the bases are loaded for Josh Bell. 

 

Bell would put a ball in play and Holmes had an errant throw to first base which allowed two runs to score for Miami. 

 

Arraez would then hit a two-RBI triple to tie the game at 7-7. In a blink of an eye, that Yankee lead evaporated. 

 

Jake Burger would eventually hit a single to walk it off for the Marlins in what was the game of the year. 

 

The Fish rallied for five runs in the ninth to win the game 8-7 and the weekend series two games to one. 

 

The Marlins will play the Houston Astros next for a three-game series in Miami. Game 1 will be on Monday, Aug. 14 with a 6:40 p.m. ET first pitch on Bally Sports Florida. 

Marlins series Phillies

Five Takeaways after the Marlins Sweep the Red Sox

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The Miami Marlins are a wagon.

 

Winners of five straight, the Fish completed the three-game sweep in Boston on Thursday night.

 

In what could have easily been a let-down series for Miami, perhaps looking ahead to Atlanta this weekend, the Marlins dominated the three-game set from beginning to end.

 

Entering the series, the Marlins hadn’t won a game at Fenway since 2009, hadn’t won a series at Fenway since 1997, and had never swept a series at Fenway in franchise history.

 

History was rewritten.

 

Dominant pitching performances, an offensive explosion, and the return of a familiar face propelled the team to reach 14 games over .500.

 

The Marlins join local counterparts the Miami Heat and Florida Panthers on the list of teams to decisively take care of business against Boston teams in their own building in the last 60 days.

 

The inevitable restraining order from the City of Boston should be arriving in South Florida any second.

 

The takeaways:

 

Ya Like Jazz?

 

He’s back.

 

After missing six weeks with a toe injury, Jazz Chisholm Jr. made his highly anticipated return to the diamond.

 

With the middle of the line up struggling to produce for much of the season, manager Skip Schumaker immediately slotted the budding superstar into the clean-up spot in each of the three games.

 

Jazz made his presence felt immediately.

 

In his first at-bat since May 13, Chisholm ripped a double off the center-field wall. On the next pitch, Garrett Cooper lofted a single to right field — and it was showtime for Jazz. The 25-year-old went flying around third base, topping the play off with an absolutely insane slide at the plate, avoiding the tag. That speed, aggression, and just overall excitement are things the Marlins are ecstatic to have back. 

 

The MLB the Show cover athlete went 5-12 (.417), driving in five runs over the three-game set, including three hits and three RBIs in his first game back on Tuesday. 

 

Following his big game in the opener, Jazz homered in each of the next two games, both no-doubt shots to dead center. Thursday night’s long ball was especially memorable, as Chisholm gave us one of the most cold-blooded pimp jobs in recent memory. 

 

Immediately after contact, the “Bahamian Prince” turned his back to the field, staring down the Red Sox faithful behind home plate. This celebration was right out of the Steph Curry playbook, as the Warriors’ point guard is known to occasionally turn his back to the basket before his three-point shot goes in. When asked postgame if he knew the ball was gone right off the bat, the Marlins star said, “A hundred percent.” 

 

As you can imagine, Fenway Park erupted in boos as Chisholm rounded the bases and finished with his patented “Euro-step” before crossing home plate. What did Jazz think about being booed by more than 36,000 people? 

“I love it.” 

 

Jazz Chisholm Jr. joins Matthew Tkachuk and Jimmy Butler as the latest South Florida superstar to add their name to the City of Boston’s “Most Hated Athletes” list. 

 

Marlins’ Starters Shine

 

Sandy Alcántara, Braxton Garrett and Jesús Luzardo got the start in Games 1 through 3 respectively, and they absolutely shoved. 

 

Alcántara: 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 5 K

Garrett: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 K

Luzardo: 6 ⅓ IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 9 K

 

Utter dominance.

 

Alcántara bounced back in a big way after getting knocked around in his previous start against the Blue Jays. The reigning Cy Young Award winner has not pitched up to his standards set last season, but Tuesday’s start is a massive step in the right direction. 

 

Garrett continued to add to his under-the-radar, All-Star-caliber season. Aside from a hanging curveball that Rafael Devers hit into the right-field bleachers, the southpaw was untouchable. His sinker-cutter combo induced weak contact all night, and would have continued to do so had it not been for a 1-hour, 13-minute rain delay that ultimately ended Garrett’s night. 

 

Luzardo arguably had his best start of the season last time out against the Pirates, and he followed it up with another masterclass. The lefty was toying with Boston hitters, and at one point retired 17 consecutive batters. The Parkland native has now thrown 17 straight scoreless innings.

 

This might be a hot take — but I don’t care: The Miami Marlins have the best rotation in the National League, top to bottom.

 

Marlins starters own the National League’s best ERA, WHIP, opponent AVG, opponent OPS, and K/9.

 

Give them the respect they deserve.

 

Bullpen? Nails.

 

In addition to the starters, the bullpen was lockdown as well, only giving up one run over 8 ⅔ innings and striking out 13. 

 

Huascar Brazobán, Tanner Scott and Andrew Nardi were terrific in middle-relief roles, and closer A.J. Puk converted both of his save opportunities.

 

The pen has been a pleasant surprise for Miami, and Puk has been at the forefront of that success.

 

With 13 saves and a 2.88 ERA, the former University of Florida standout has given the Marlins stability in the closer’s role for the first time in recent memory.

 

In addition to Puk, Scott and Nardi have been revelations.

 

After subpar performances in 2022, the two southpaws have come out sharp in 2023.

 

Tanner Scott has pitched to a 3.23 ERA compared to a 4.31 ERA last season, and has shown a major improvement in control this season (6.61 BB/9 in 2022 to 3.69 in 2023).

 

Andrew Nardi is as unsung of a hero as you’ll find. Last season as a rookie, the lefty pitched in 13 games. Over 14 ⅔ innings, the former University of Arizona Wildcat surrendered 25 hits, 16 earned runs and 14 walks. Yikes. 

 

But so far this season Nardi has transformed himself into one of Schumaker’s most trusted relievers, pitching to a 2.55 ERA over 35 ⅓ innings. Nardi is one of the best bullpen pieces in baseball, and absolutely deserves All-Star consideration.

 

The Marlins have been waiting years to have a bullpen they can feel confident in. 

 

And, man, does it feel good.

 

Luis Arráez: All-Star Starter

 

The fans got it right.

 

The most notable acquisition of the offseason, Arráez was coming off a stellar 2022 campaign, making the American League All-Star team and winning the AL batting crown.

 

Due to that success, coupled with the Marlins giving up a potential ace (Pablo Lopez) to acquire the 26-year old second baseman, expectations for Arráez were sky high entering the season.

 

He has exceeded every single one of them.

 

From hitting for the first cycle in franchise history, to flirting with .400 all season, to almost putting a hole in first-base coach Jon Jay’s chest every time he gets a hit, Arráez has given Marlins fans something that they have not had in a long time — belief. 

 

And now, he will make the organization proud yet again, representing them as the NL starting second baseman in the Mid-Summer Classic. 

 

When asked about hearing the news from Skip Schumaker on Thursday, Arráez was humbled.

 

“I almost cried there, [it was] emotional… I give it [all] to my teammates, to my family, to the fans who support me,” Arráez said.

 

He has made Marlins baseball relevant again.

 

Braves On Deck

 

The biggest series of the season has arrived.

 

The Marlins, winners of 11 of their last 14, travel to Atlanta to take on the Braves, winners of 13 of their last 14.

 

These are two of the hottest teams in baseball, and there should be fireworks this weekend.

 

This series will serve as a litmus test for the Fish, as the Braves have been the standard across Major League Baseball this season.

 

The Marlins have Bryan Hoeing, Eury Pérez and Sandy Alcántara on the bump, three right-handers who are at the top of their game coming into this three-game set.

 

The spotlight will be on the Miami Marlins this weekend, something that hasn’t been said since 2003.

 

Buckle up. 

 

Five Takeaways after Marlins Waste Eury Perez Gem Vs. Jays

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Nearly halfway into the season, the Marlins are among the hottest teams in baseball. Who saw that coming?

 

Despite Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss to the Blue Jays, this upstart squad is having its best season in over a decade, and the timing is perfect. 

 

Fresh off of championship appearances by the Heat and Panthers, and Inter Miami bringing the soccer GOAT to South Beach (it’s really Commercial Boulevard, but let’s keep that quiet), optimism among South Florida sports fans has never been higher. 

 

The surprising Marlins have elbowed their way into the conversation. This team is fun, this team is likable, and most importantly, this team is winning.

 

Fan favorite Luis Arráez is the second coming of Tony Gwynn, Jorge Soler might hit 50 homers, and Eury Pérez, Tuesday night’s starter, is a 20-year-old pitching prodigy.

 

The takeaways:

 

Eury “ROY” Pérez

 

Eury Pérez’s Rookie of the Year campaign starts now.

 

Entering Tuesday, the 6-foot-8 flamethrower was 4-1, with a 1.80 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and 36 strikeouts. That’ll work.

 

Pérez faced a tough challenge, with a Toronto lineup stacked with studs. Names like Springer, Bichette, Guerrero and Chapman all looked to derail the Eury Pérez hype train.

 

They failed.

 

Pérez should be incarcerated for how bad he made Toronto hitters look on Tuesday night. The righthander had his secondary pitches working, his slider and change-up particularly being unhittable. And, of course, his blazing fastball sat at 98 MPH all night. 

 

The 20-year-old went six innings, giving up three hits, no runs, no walks, and striking out a career high nine.

 

Elite. 

 

With his ERA now at a miniscule 1.54, Pérez has further established himself as an ace. Not a future ace — an ace right now. In his last 5 starts, the rookie has only allowed one run over 27 innings.

 

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker was all smiles discussing his young star.

 

“He’s getting better [with] every result, every time out, learning how to pitch on top of the zone, learning how to attack different hitters different ways,” Schumaker said.

 

Marlins Bats Disappear

 

We’re not going to pretend like the Marlins are a team of hitting machines — other than a couple guys named Arráez and Soler — but the Fish have usually found a way to get that clutch hit when needed.

 

That was not the case Tuesday night. They only managed 6 baserunners, and only had one inning with more than one man on base, and that inning ended with a deflating double play. 

 

Nick Fortes and Bryan De La Cruz each had a single and a double, Soler and Guririel each got robbed at the wall in the bottom of the ninth. Other than that, the bats were quiet.  

 

Costly Double Plays

 

The Marlins lead the MLB in double plays, and it’s not particularly close. Miami hit into their 79th and 80th DPs of the year on Tuesday. The Atlanta Braves are second with 67.

 

A comeback was brewing in the bottom of the eighth, with Fortes at third and Wendle at first, and pinch-hitter Jesús Sánchez at the plate with one out. As Luis Arráez loomed in the on-deck circle, Sánchez did the one thing he could not do. His inning-ending, rally-killing double play sent some fans toward the exits. 

 

Sánchez, who didn’t get the start with Toronto throwing lefty Yusei Kikuchi, has struggled against southpaws his entire career. He looked overmatched against lefty reliever Tim Mayza.

 

It’s hard to question Skip Schumaker, who is firmly in the NL Manager of the Year conversation, but the decision to stick with Sánchez with a lefty on the mound had to be a tough one. Would outfielder Jonathan Davis have had a better result? Who knows.

 

Luis Arráez is Human

 

This man has been on another planet, but on Tuesday night he came down to Earth.

 

Coming off a five-hit night on Monday, the second baseman was the center of attention every time he stepped in the batter’s box. The energy in the park is noticeably different when he comes up. 

 

The 26-year-old had a pedestrian night, finishing with only one hit, which lowered his average to a measly .398. A 1-4 game for Arráez feels like an 0-10 doubleheader for most hitters, which speaks to how dominant he has been this season. 

Arráez has had three five-hit games in June, two in the past six days. For reference, Albert Pujols, one of the best hitters ever, had three five-hit games — in his career.

 

Even with an off-night on Tuesday, Arráez has been nothing short of spectacular, and is currently the leading vote-getter at second base for the National League All-Star team.

 

Fans? Fans!

 

The last three-game series that the Marlins had at loanDepot Park, the average attendance was 7,400. The first two games of the Toronto series have drawn not only more fans, but more passionate fans. 

 

Monday’s series opener had more than 12,000 fans watch the Marlins dismantle the Blue Jays 11-0. That number had not been eclipsed on a Monday-night game since 2021. Tuesday night, it was a little less than 10,000 people. 

 

Beyond the numbers, it was the passion and rowdiness that stood out. When Eury Pérez got to two strikes on Spencer Horwitz in the fifth inning, the crowd stood and roared like it was 2003.

 

Saturday, the Marlins are projecting upward of 20,000 fans for Puerto Rican Heritage Night, and if that crowd is as lively as Tuesday night’s, the roof might blow off. Sunday is Sandy Alcántara Bobblehead Day, and is sure to be a big draw as well. 

 

This ballclub is playing well and the South Florida faithful need to take notice. To quote Marlins color analyst Tommy Hutton: “No Heat, no Panthers, no homework” and “no excuses.” 

Mets easily sweep Marlins: 5 Takeaways

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The New York Mets (64-37) came to town to face the Miami Marlins (47-55) in what felt like a one-sided series. 

Not only did the Marlins get swept in the three-game weekend series, but to make things worse, LoanDepot Park was flooded with Mets fans. It felt like the Mets were the home team and with nothing much for Marlins fans to cheer about through each game, there was nothing they could do to drown out the “Let’s go Mets!” chants that echoed throughout the ballpark.

I don’t blame Marlins fans for not showing up to the stadium though. Why would they spend the extra money to watch a losing product on the field? Until some major changes start to happen and the Marlins win consistently, the fans won’t show up and support.

It was a disappointing weekend for the Miami Marlins. 

Here are five takeaways from the series. 

 

Trouble For Sandy

Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara pitched Game 1 of the series and he didn’t look like his usual self. 

The Marlins actually gave Alcantara run support, something that hardly occurs, and produced three runs in the bottom of the first inning. 

But that 3-0 lead didn’t hold for long, as the Mets answered right back in the second inning and scored three runs of their own. The Marlins did score another run of their own in the second inning to regain the lead, but a home run by former Marlin Starling Marte in the fourth inning tied the game at four. Alcantara would eventually pitch the fifth inning but shortly after, his night was done. 

Alcantara finished the game pitching five innings and allowed eight hits, four earned runs, and three walks. He also posted five strikeouts. 

The Marlins’ ace had his worst outing of the year and the only thing that I can think of that explains why is that he had faced the Mets four times already this year. Because New York’s offense had already seen him a number of times, his stuff isn’t as deceiving as it normally would be against any other club.

It seems as if when Alcantara is on his game, the Marlins fail to produce runs. But when Miami does score runs, Alcantara has an off night. 

 

Mets Offense Too Much To Handle

The Mets lineup is good. Like really, really good.

It felt like Miami had no idea how to get New York’s hitters out. And if they did get someone out, the next guy in the order did damage. 

Marte was a double shy of hitting for the cycle against Alcantara in Game 1. That’s when Miami could guess that they were in for a rude awakening. 

Over the three games, Mets hitters had an absurd average of .339 (39-for-115). They also averaged 6.3 runs per game and had 18 extra-base hits. If you’re the Marlins and you know that you’re on the brink of a possible wild-card spot, that cannot happen. 

“Every guy seems to fight you,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said about the difficulties facing the Mets. “There’s no really easy outs up and down that lineup. It’s a battle to get through there.”

If the Mets can hit like this now, imagine how they will be after the trade deadline. There were some rumblings about a possibility of acquiring catcher Willson Contreras from the Chicago Cubs. Plus Jacob deGrom is making his 2022 debut this week, so there’s no doubt this team will be scary. 

 

Leblanc Excels In Debut Series

Marlins third baseman Charles Leblanc made his MLB debut on Saturday and he made his name known on both sides of the ball.

In the seventh inning of Game 2, Leblanc made a spectacular diving play on a ground ball hit in his direction and he threw to first base just in time to get the runner out. 

During the two games he played in, Leblanc went 3-for-7 (.428 BA) and hit a couple of doubles. He was the only player in Marlins history to record a double in each of his first two MLB games. 

On top of that, Leblanc hit his first career home run in the bottom of the sixth inning during Game 3. 

“It was a blacked out moment, I don’t remember much,” Leblanc said about what he felt during his first home run. “I saw something over the plate and that was it.”

In Triple-A Jacksonville, Leblanc had a .302 batting average and an OPS of .884. He also had 14 home runs and 45 RBIs. 

Marlins fans have been begging for the organization to call Leblanc up to the Majors and you can see why. 

 

Why Did Miami Start Pablo?

All week, right-hander Pablo Lopez’s name has been swirling around the league as the trade deadline draws closer. 

Many people assumed that because of Miami’s current situation, Lopez would be on the move as soon as the front office received a deal they liked. 

“A deal that really helps us has to present itself,” Marlins General Manager Kim Ng said about Lopez’s trade situation. “We’re not out there looking to move Pablo (Lopez)…but we’re listening on all fronts.”

Because Miami had yet to make a move with Lopez, he started Sunday’s game against the Mets and looking back on it now, I’m sure the front office surely regrets throwing him out there. 

Lopez had without a doubt his worst start of the season. By the top of the third inning, all nine Mets batters had a hit. Lopez finished his brief afternoon with 2.2 innings pitched, allowing six earned runs and a career-high 12 hits. 

Lopez’s trade value has in all likelihood plummeted and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Marlins just hold on to him and not trade him at all. If the front office didn’t like the returns they heard for Lopez earlier in the week, they for sure won’t like them after his performance on Sunday. 

 

What Exactly is the Front Office’s Approach?

What is Ng and the Marlins organization currently thinking? 

Surely they would be sellers, right? Apparently, that’s not so easy to tell because we haven’t gotten a clear-cut answer as of now. 

Starting Lopez just a couple days prior to the trade deadline looked suspicious. Why risk having a player like Lopez’s value go down when they can trade him while his value’s high after a spectacular outing against the Reds earlier in the week? Maybe Lopez has been a player that Miami has been planning to keep all along amidst the trade rumors. But why keep him when his contract is set to expire by the end of the season? 

“I think the objective is always to try and better yourself,” Ng told the media about the team’s objective heading into the trade deadline. “I think where we are in the standings…I’m not sure whether we’re going to be a clear buyer or a clear seller. I think it’s a little bit more complex than that.” 

It’s obvious that Ng doesn’t want to reveal the team’s exact plans to the public, but given that they are eight games under .500 and have around a 1.5% chance to make the playoffs, it would be surprising if they buy at the deadline. We’ll see what the Marlins do in the next couple of days. 

The Marlins will try and bounce back from this brutal series as they face the Cincinnati Reds (40-61) for a three-game series from Monday through Wednesday. 

 

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Photo by Tony Capobianco

Marlins split series vs. Reds: 5 Takeaways

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The Miami Marlins (47-52) split the four-game series against the last-place Cincinnati Reds (38-60). 

It was an up-and-down four-game stretch for the Fish, but they rallied in the end and found a way to win the last game to split the series. 

The Marlins have not been playing the way they wanted to and I’m positive that they are not happy with splitting a series against a poor Reds team. They should’ve won at least three out of the four games, but the offense hit a wall during the bulk of the series and their pitching couldn’t win them games on their own without having enough runs on the board. 

It was a tough Game 1 as the Marlins lost 11-2. Game 2 was better because they won 2-1 but then the next day, they fell 5-3. The offense finally woke up in Game 4 of the series as they won 7-6. But this theme of inconsistency keeps showing up throughout the season. At the end of the day, how can the Marlins be a consistent ball club?

Here are five takeaways from the series. 

 

Trevor Rogers Likely Getting Sent Down

It was a dreadful outing for starting pitcher Trevor Rogers. 

Rogers went just 3.2 innings, gave up eight hits, and allowed six earned runs that led to a Marlins loss in Game 1. To make things sound worse, he did this against a Cincinnati Reds offense that ranks in the bottom-third in baseball in batting average and runs per game. 

The struggles for last year’s All-Star have reached an all-time high and given how his outings have been all season long, it’s likely that the organization will send him down to work on his mechanics and get back to his form from last season. 

Rogers’ velocity is definitely there, but his slider and changeup don’t have the same amount of depth as it did a year ago. Plus, a couple of starters on the IL, Jesus Luzardo and Edward Cabrera, are nearing their returns to Major League action, so it gives the Marlins another reason to pull Rogers from the starting rotation.

 

Joey Wendle Hits Everything

Marlins utility player Joey Wendle had himself a series against the Reds. 

During the three games he played, Wendle went 5-for-14 (.357 BA) and had three RBIs. Wendle now has a batting average over .300 (.303) which is a great sight to see for an abysmal Marlins offense. 

Wendle ended his great play this week with a go-ahead RBI double in the ninth inning to seal the victory and give the Marlins a series split. 

“When Joey’s (Wendle) on the field, it’s been great”, Marlins manager Don Mattingly said about how valuable Wendle has been for the team. “He plays hard everyday and he’s a great example for our guys with the way we want to play the game.”

Of course, like many of Miami’s best players, there’s the question of whether or not this was Wendle’s last week playing for the Marlins. We’ll find out soon enough.

 

Pablo Lopez Found A Groove

Starting pitcher Pablo Lopez has probably made his last start with the Miami Marlins. But, at least he went out with a bang. 

The right-hander pitched through seven innings of work and gave up just two hits and one earned run while striking out 11 batters. The 11 strikeouts by Lopez matched his career-high in a game. 

After his last outing against the Rangers where he gave up five earned runs in just five innings, Lopez found a way to bounce back and have his best showing of the season. 

“It had been a while,” Lopez said about the last time he’s felt this good on the mound. “It’s one of those starts that you really need because it reminds you that the work we put in between starts really pays off…it was a good start to build up from.”

It’s uncertain if this was Lopez’s last start with the Marlins with all of the trade rumors up in the air, but if it was, he definitely made it a good one. 

 

The Young Guys Show Out

Marlins outfielder J.J. Bleday made his debut last weekend against the Pirates and he’s been nothing short of what Miami’s been hoping for at the plate. 

His numbers on the stat sheet won’t jump out at you, but if you’re watching his at-bats, they’ll tell you that he’s “just” missing his pitches. It’s probably what explains his low batting average in Triple-A (.228). 

On the bright side, Bleday was able to hit his first career home run against Reds All-Star pitcher Luis Castillo in the fourth inning of Game 3. 

First baseman Lewin Diaz has been nothing short of impressive during the series. Diaz went 3-for-9 (.333 BA) and had three walks. He showed great patience at the plate for a young player and his 6-foot-4 frame makes him a great target to throw to at first base. 

Right-handed reliever Huascar Brazoban looked terrific in his outing in Game 3. In two innings, he gave up just one hit and racked up five strikeouts. Brazoban made his MLB debut on July 24th against the Pirates and he’s been a great asset for an injury-ridden bullpen. 

 

Marlins Are Probably Sellers 

Given that it’s impossible for Miami to reach the .500 mark before the trade deadline, it might be safe to say that they will look to be a selling club yet again. 

Even though the Marlins are just a few games out of the final wild card spot, it’s too tough of a task to clinch it at the end of the season with all of their injuries and inconsistencies with their play on the field. So, the front office might not want to take that risk and ship their most valuable players in exchange for young and talented prospects. 

As of now, the players with the most value that teams are keeping their eyes on are Lopez, first-baseman Garrett Cooper, and Wendle. 

Other names to keep in mind from the bullpen are right-handers Anthony Bass and Dylan Floro, as well as left-hander Steven Okert.

The Marlins are desperately in need of a center fielder and shortstop. They don’t have any of those positions in the minor leagues that will be ready by next year. Interestingly enough, a report by the Athletic came out and mentioned that the Marlins “have not stopped calling” about Pittsburgh’s All-Star center fielder Bryan Reynolds. 

At this point, we don’t exactly know what general manager Kim Ng and the front office have planned out. All we can do is let it play out and see what the organization really believes this team can achieve for the remainder of the season. 

The Marlins come back home to play the New York Mets (61-37) for a three-game weekend series from Friday through Sunday. 

 

Marlins lose a tough series vs. Phillies: 5 Takeaways

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After winning their previous two series, the Miami Marlins hoped to go into Philadelphia and take care of business. 

The Marlins have had success with the Phillies earlier this season, taking three out of four in their series back in April. So there was optimism that Miami would be able to beat them this go around. That was not the case.

Miami ended up losing two of three against Philadelphia and the talk of the series was the bullpen. Of course, it comes as no surprise because that’s been the Marlins’ biggest problem of the season. The starters are doing their jobs, but it seems like every time Miami turns to their bullpen, the game gets away from them. 

A couple of bright spots to take away from the series is that designated hitter Jesus Aguilar has played a great last couple of games. Aguilar went 3-for-9 with a home run and four RBIs. And how about right fielder Avisail Garcia? The Marlins have been hoping that their big free agent signing was going to have the same amount of production as he did in Milwaukee last season when he batted .262 and had 29 home runs. After a slow start this season, it looks like the former all star is starting to get back to that form from last year. In Game 2, Garcia went 2-for-5 with a home run and a couple of RBIs.

At the end of the day, the Marlins weren’t able to get it done and they have a tough road ahead of them as they head to New York to take on the first place Mets.

Here are five takeaways from the series.

 

Why take out Sandy?

Marlins’ starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara had another stellar performance. Alcanatara pitched in the first game of the series and he was lights out, per usual. 

Alcantara gave up an RBI single to designated hitter Bryce Harper in the bottom of the third inning, but after that, Alcantara settled back in and didn’t give up a run in the next few innings. 

Now, we’ve reached the bottom of the eighth inning. Alcantara had given up two leadoff walks to put runners on first and second base with nobody out. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was up to bat and got jammed on an inside sinker by Alcantara that caused him to ground into a double play.

Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius was up to bat and all game long, Gregorius had struggled against Alcantara. Gregorius was 0-for-3 with a strikeout leading up to his at-bat in the eighth inning. Alcantara was ready to throw the pitch and then Marlins manager Don Mattingly came out of the dugout and told Alcantara that his night was done. Left-handed pitcher Steven Okert came out to face Gregorius and on Okert’s first pitch, Gregorius hit the ball down the right field line to tie the game 2-2. I mean, you can’t make this stuff up.

Why did Mattingly take Alcantara out of the game? Maybe it was the pitch count because Alcantara was at 112 pitches. But even then, Alcantara didn’t show signs of slowing down. It was Alcantara’s game to finish and he didn’t get the opportunity to and he showed his frustration when he sat in the dugout after being pulled. 

 

Trevor Rogers continues to struggle

Starting pitcher Trevor Rogers was set to take the mound for Game 2 of the series and from the get go, he wasn’t able to get comfortable.

Rogers logged just 3.2 innings pitched and gave up four earned runs, five hits, and a career-high six walks. What is really mind-boggling is that five of his six walks were to left-handed hitters. Three to left fielder Kyle Schwarber and the other two were to Harper. The walks to Harper were understandable because he has been on a tear as of late and it seemed like the Marlins’ game plan  was to stay away from him as much as possible. But, to let Schwarber walk three times is truly puzzling. Schwarber has been batting just .202 against lefties this season and for Rogers to not get aggressive and throw pitches in the strike zone against him doesn’t make much sense. 

After this start, Rogers’ ERA has shot up to 5.87 and he has given up a total of 28 walks so far this season, the tenth most in the MLB. Marlins fans have been hoping that Rogers would get back to his phenomenal play from last season where he was named an all star with a 2.64 ERA. But, how high is his confidence after this outing?

 

Miami didn’t have an answer for Rhys Hoskins

Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins went absolutely crazy in the three games against Miami. Over the series, Hoskins went 8-for-13 with seven RBIs and a pair of home runs in Game 2.

In Game 1, Hoskins hit a walk-off single to give the Phillies a 3-2 win after a changeup by right-hander Anthony Bass was hit off the end of Hoskins’ bat that fell into no man’s land and gave the runner at second enough time to score. 

It felt like everything the Marlins’ pitchers were throwing weren’t fooling Hoskins at the plate. Hoskins was the life of the Phillies’ offense and Miami couldn’t find a way to get their hottest hitter out. 

 

Daniel Castano shines in his first start 

With the injury to starting pitcher Pablo Lopez, Mattingly and the Marlins had to turn to someone else to make the start in Game 3 as a precautionary move. They didn’t want Lopez to risk hurting his hand even more and decided to give him a couple more days to rest.

So, the Marlins turned to left-hander Daniel Castano. Castano made a few appearances for Miami earlier this season, but as a relief-pitcher. Last season, Castano started games for Miami and had some success. 

In Game 3 of the series, Castano pitched an incredible game. He pitched 6.2 innings and didn’t give up a run to the Phillies. His pitch count of 105 was the most he’s had in his three-year career. It seemed as if every inning, the Phillies would have runners in scoring position and he would find a way to get out of the jams whether it started with two, one, or zero outs in the inning. Castano found ways to stay composed on the mound and take care of business.

 

The bullpen is back to being subpar 

After a great series against the Houston Astros, I thought that the bullpen finally got it together. But sadly, I was wrong. 

Time and time again when it looks like the Marlins are in the driver’s seat for the length of the game, they lose control once the bullpen is called. This series was a prime example of that. 

In Game 1, Alcantara had given up just one run through seven innings and when the bullpen entered the game, Miami lost the lead. They did eventually tie it back up but Hoskins hit the walk-off to give the Phillies the win. 

In Game 2, the bullpen was in early because of Rogers’ rough outing. The score was tied at four by the time Rogers was pulled from the game. Right-handed relief pitcher Dylan Floro entered the game and the Phillies were all over him. Floro gave up four earned runs in just 0.2 innings of work. Fortunately, the Marlins were able to create enough offense to come back from a four-run deficit and win 11-9 in a roller coaster of a game.

And now the worst of all: Game 3. The Marlins had just one run all game that came off of a home run in the top of the fifth inning by shortstop Miguel Rojas. So, there wasn’t much room for error after Castano’s six shutout innings. Right-handers Tommy Nance and Anthony Bass did a good job in keeping the Phillies’ offense shutout. But in the bottom of the ninth inning, Miami turned to left-hander Tanner Scott to close out the game and leave Philadelphia with a series win. 

Scott struck out Gregorius, gave up a single to third baseman Alec Bohm, walked Realmuto, and struck out infielder Yairo Munoz. Catcher Garrett Stubbs was the last hope for the Phillies and with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the ninth, Scott threw a slider right over the heart of the plate that Stubbs crushed into the seats in right field to give the Phillies the win and the series. That’s now two walk off hits that Miami’s relievers have given up in the past three games. You really can’t make this stuff up.

“I thought he got away from his fastball a little bit,” Mattingly said about Scott’s last outing. “He kind of got predictable.”

Mattingly went on to say, “The guy (Stubbs) had a pretty good swing at his slider and took a couple of sliders. He left that one up.”

It feels as if every time Miami takes one step forward, they then take two steps back. That’s been the theme of the season so far. 

It’ll be interesting to see how the Marlins can regain their confidence as they head into New York for their next series. They need to find a way to move on from these last tough couple of games and get focused for a great baseball team. 

The Marlins play the Mets this weekend for a four-game series from Friday to Monday at Citi Field in New York.

5 Takeaways from Marlins’ Series Win vs. Astros

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It looks like the Miami Marlins have finally found their groove in the midst of the season. The Marlins have just won their second straight series as they won two out of three games against the Houston Astros.

In Game 1, the Marlins beat the Astros 7-4 with huge performances from second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. and first baseman Jesus Aguilar. In Game 2, Miami shutdown Houston’s offense with their 5-1 victory. Unfortunately, Miami couldn’t get the series sweep and lost Game 3 by a score of 9-4. 

It’s hard for any team to hold an offense like the Astros to so many runs in a series. The fact that the Marlins were able to capture a couple of wins against the second-best team in the American League says a lot about how much Miami has grown in the past couple of weeks. 

Before Sunday’s loss against Houston, the Marlins had won five games in a row. That was their longest winning streak since their seven game streak back in April.

The Fish are hot and it’s going to be fun to see where they go from here.

Here are five takeaways from the series. 

 

DON’T TRADE JAZZ

Last Tuesday, Marlins manager Don Mattingly held a team meeting to address some issues that players had in the locker room.

Apparently, the meeting was centered around Jazz Chisholm Jr. and the players were criticizing his work ethic and the way he dresses to the ballpark. Some might even think that the players were jealous of Chisholm and Mattingly knew he had to call a meeting before things spiraled out of control and the team chemistry would fly out the window.  

Man, was that meeting one of the best decisions Mattingly has made this season. 

Since Tuesday, Chisholm has hit four home runs and tallied nine RBIs. He had also stolen a base during that span which allowed him to join Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker as the only two MLB players to hit at least 10 home runs and have at least 10 stolen bases so far this season. 

Another thing to take note of is that ever since the team meeting, Miami’s record has been 5-1.

 

Miami’s bats have come alive

The Marlins’ offense has finally woken up. In the month of June, Miami has averaged 6.5 runs per game. Those 6.5 runs per game are the second highest among any team in the MLB during that span. Miami has also managed to bring their team batting average up to .246, seventh-best in the National League. 

During the series against the Astros, the Marlins’ bats came alive as they scored seven, five, and four runs in each game against an elite Houston pitching staff. 

In Game 1, Chisholm and Aguilar each hit two home runs that helped give the Marlins a series-opening victory. 

In Game 2, Miami had big performances from multiple players including third baseman Jon Berti, left fielder Luke Williams, and Aguilar. Berti was able to produce two RBIs and Williams had an RBI and a couple of base hits. Aguilar had two hits including a double. 

In Game 3, Astros right-hander Justin Verlander had pitched six shutout innings and struck out five Marlins batters. Verlander has been incredible this season with a 1.94 ERA and a league-leading eight wins. 

But just when you think that this was going to be another one of Verlander’s dominant outings, in the seventh inning, Miami was able to produce four runs that included a big three-run home run from right fielder Bryan De La Cruz that sent the ball soaring into the Crawford Boxes. 

It’s great to see the bats come alive and hopefully, the Marlins can sustain the production on offense in the games to come. 

 

The bullpen has been surprisingly solid

The main area of concern all season has been the quality and consistency of the bullpen. Miami has lost countless one-run games because of blown saves or missed opportunities to get out of situations by the Marlins’ relief pitchers. 

The starting pitching has been lights out all season and to have their games ruined by the bullpen has been frustrating. But, there’s a glimpse of hope. 

During the series against the Astros, Miami’s starting pitchers often found themselves out of the game early due to the rise in pitch counts. No Marlins starting pitcher ever made it to the sixth inning during the three-game set because of how hard it was to get Houston’s hitters out. From top to bottom, the Astros are loaded with talent, so it’s understandable that Miami’s starting pitchers couldn’t go deep into games. 

The bullpen did a fantastic job in suppressing Houston’s batters as much as possible. Aside from Game 3’s outing from right-handed reliever Louis Head who gave up four runs, Miami’s bullpen had given up just two runs in the series. 

Impressive outings from right-hander Anthony Bass, right-hander Cole Sulser, and left-hander Tanner Scott have played a huge part in Miami’s ability to come out with a series win.

 

Should we be concerned about the injuries?

Miami has been dealing with injuries for a large part of the season. 

Guys like Brian Anderson and Joey Wendle have been on the Injury List for a couple of weeks, so they should be returning to action pretty soon. Then, you have a guy like starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo who hasn’t seen game action since early May. It feels like every day, there’s a new player getting put on the IL. 

Right before Game 2 of the series, arguably Miami’s best hitter Garrett Cooper was placed on the IL due to COVID. 

During right-handed starting pitcher Pablo Lopez’s start in Game 1, he was forced to come out of the game with what looked like an injury on his right wrist after he got hit by a line drive in the fifth inning. The good news is that x-rays came out negative and Lopez was diagnosed with a right wrist contusion. The bad news is that because he got hit on his throwing arm, how much is that going to affect his accuracy or pitch velocity? As of now, Lopez is day-to-day and should be able to pitch in his next start on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. 

There shouldn’t be any concern with Cooper, as he should come back into the lineup as soon as his 10 days on the IL are complete. As for Lopez, we’ll see how much he is affected by his wrist in his next start. But, Miami definitely dodged a bullet because this could have definitely been much worse than it was.

 

The NL East is the hottest division in baseball

Aside from the Washington Nationals, the NL East has been tearing it up in June.

The Marlins have been rolling and are 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Philadelphia Phillies had won nine in a row since June 1st before getting their win streak snapped against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. The Atlanta Braves have looked unbeatable and have won 11 in a row. Even though the New York Mets haven’t looked great as of late, they are still 39-22 and sit on top of the National League with the best record.

It will be interesting to see how the standings play out in the coming weeks because the Marlins have a series against the Phillies and the Mets this week. Those series are crucial for Miami if they want to climb the standings in not only the National League, but their division as well.

The Marlins have a three-game series against the Phillies that will be played in Philadelphia from Monday through Wednesday.

Meaningful May in Miami Sports is Here

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May is setting up to be a memorable month in Miami sports.

It’s an exciting time as May ushers in multiple post-season series for Miami sports fans.

The East in both the NBA and NHL runs through South Florida.

Hell, even the Marlins are giving us hope (for now).

 

Not to mention a great end to the week with the Miami Grand Prix at Hard Rock Stadium.

 

The Miami Heat and Florida Panthers will each be in the spotlight this week.

Starting Monday the Heat and Panthers alternate game nights, including four consecutive South Florida home contests.

These are two teams that are stylistically different yet similarly effective, these matchups offer something for everyone.

Heat match up with Sixers in East semifinals

The Heat begin the second round of the NBA Playoffs against a weakened Philadelphia 76ers squad.

 

Without Embiid for the time being, this becomes a drastically different series.

Philadelphia will need more offense from James Harden, who averaged just 14 points-per-game versus Miami this season.

The Heat want teams to try and beat them from beyond the arc, and in this matchup Philadelphia will likely oblige.

That may not always work out for Miami as Philadelphia shot 40.8% from deep in the opening round.

The emergence of Tyrese Maxey has given the Sixers another option on the perimeter.

Maxey has played well in the playoffs and against Miami (21.3 PPG), how the Heat defend him could be a key to the series.

Is the the Panthers’ year?

Across the county line in Broward, the high-flying Florida Panthers open their post-season Tuesday against Washington.

Fresh off their first ever Presidents’ Trophy for the NHL’s best record, expectations are at an all-time high for the Panthers.

 

Unlike their colleagues on Biscayne, the Panthers are not terribly worried about defense.

The Panthers simply attack and overwhelm opposing teams with line after line of skill.

 

Washington played the Panthers tough this year; each game was decided by a single goal with the Cats winning two out of three.

The status of Alex Ovechkin is something to watch as he missed the final three games of the regular season with an upper body injury.

Ovechkin has never missed a playoff game due to injury, and if he is close to healthy expect the NHL’s third all-time leading goal scorer to play.

The Panthers have two superstars in Sasha Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, who just led the NHL in assists.

No team scored more goals or took more shots than the Panthers, with any semblance of goaltending the Cats should advance easily.

So relax, crack open a Biscayne Bay Brew, and enjoy this week for the ages Miami sports fans!

Make sure to check out our daily fantasy partners PrizePicks! Use promo code five for 100$ deposit match, www.prizepicks.com.

 

 

 


 

Marte Marlins

5 Takeaways from a week of Marlins Baseball

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The Miami Marlins took two out of three versus the first place New York Mets this weekend, cementing their place in the NL East. They now stand only 2 games behind the Mets, with another division rival in the Phillies looming this week. The Fish are now 53-53 over their last 106 games, proving that last year was not a fluke. As Jazz Chisholm said, “[The Marlins] have the most swag in baseball.” The pieces are finally coming together. 

 

Here’s 5 key takeaways from a successful weekend of baseball:

 

Cody Poteet deserves the rotation spot

 

After being called up from Triple-A for a spot start versus the Diamondbacks a little over a week ago, Poteet has dominated. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, which results in low strikeout numbers, but he gets outs: and a lot of them. He now has a 1.06 ERA through his 3 starts, and he is the second Marlins starter in history to not allow 3 runs through his first 3 starts (the other is now-Met Jordan Yamamoto, who he beat today). Poteet was quoted after the game saying, “You never know when your last day in the MLB is going to be.” As of now, he shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

 

Garrett Cooper found his swing

 

Cooper has struggled to start the season, and for an injury-riddled Marlins, this was a source of early panic. Clearly, any doubt was premature, as Coop has not only started to hit for average again, but also hit the long ball. He homered to tie the game in game 1 of the Mets series and hit a 2-run walk-off homer in game 2. Last year, he had the 2nd best OPS on the Marlins, and his bat is essential if the Marlins want to make a run for the playoffs. 

 

Sandy, Pablo, Trevor

 

Guys. I’m taking these three guys over anyone at the moment. With Poteet emerging as a strong option, and Sixto and Elieser in the wings, we could be looking at the best rotation in baseball. 

 

Sandy Alcantara struggled in LA, but bounced back with a dominating performance versus the Phillies. 6 innings, 9 strikeouts, no runs. His ERA is at a 3.63, and without the one bad performance versus the Dodgers, would be much lower. 

 

You have to feel for Pablo Lopez. It has felt like every outing he has had throughout this season, he has deserved the win. Last night versus the Mets was no different. 7 IP, 8 strikeouts, no runs. And still, the Marlins found a way to give him the no decision. He has been brilliant, per usual, lowering the ERA to 2.73.

 

Trevor Rogers: the unexpected ace and frontrunner for NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young. It feels like every time he takes the mound, the Marlins are going to win. Unlike the other two stars, the Marlins have had no trouble giving him run support. His win versus Philadelphia improved him to 6-2 on the year with a 1.74 ERA. Wow.

 

And Sixto Sanchez isn’t even here yet.

 

Bullpen woes?

 

In the Phillies and Mets series, the Fish lost 2 games. Both losses can be credited to the bullpen; however, there is no reason to get stressed about it. Bullpens have off nights, and you have to deal with them throughout the course of a season. It is when those off nights become consistent that an issue arises. The Marlins bullpen has been relatively dominant on every other night. 

 

Floro, Bass, Garcia, and the boys have given the Marlins great innings over the past few weeks and are doing exactly what is needed from them. Floro had one bad outing that cost the Marlins a win in Philly, but that came after a multitude of good ones that led to wins. The bullpen loss on Friday was more due to running out of options than a failure on the bullpen’s end of things. As Anthony Bass comments on seemingly every Miami Marlins Instagram post, “Keep the faith. I promise we will figure this out.”

 

This squad is NOT a fluke

 

For anyone who has tuned into my coverage of the Marlins over the past year or so, you know that I am very upfront about how I believed last season to be the lucky result of a small sample size. 

 

With the 46 games played this season, the Marlins are now 53-53 in their last 106. Maybe, just maybe, the Marlins were no fluke last season and were actually a .500 team that benefitted from an extended playoffs. What does that mean for this year?

 

Well, it means that the Marlins can get to the playoffs: this time by winning the NL East. In an extremely condensed division that is separated in total by 2.5 games, it is anyone’s to win.

 

Why not the Marlins?

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