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It was 1997 when the Florida Marlins won their first World Series title, in just their fifth year of existence. Six years and a new 25-man roster later, the Marlins returned to the World Series and won another championship. Now it's been another six years since their last title. Once again, they have turned over their roster, and are five games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East and four games out in the NL wild card. So it's not unreasonable to ask … is history bound to repeat itself?
The Marlins got off to a hot start in April, but fell under .500 before May came to an end. Now, they've been able to make up some ground and see themselves back in the NL East and NL wild-card races. One of the big keys to this team's success is the pitching of its young ace, Josh Johnson. Johnson is one of the best pitchers in the National League at 10-2 (he pitched seven solid innings before getting in trouble in the eighth against the Nationals on Tuesday), but he's incredibly underrated because he plays for the Marlins. You could plug him in just about any rotation and he would be a No. 1 or No. 2 starter. He's a huge contributor every fifth day because of his ability to go deep into games and preserve a mediocre bullpen, though it was the bullpen that helped do him and the Marlins in Tuesday. Ricky Nolasco has also pitched well in this rotation after being sent to the minors in June. Nolasco and Johnson are a scary 1-2 punch. Add in Chris Volstad, who has been a good No. 3, and the rotation is among the league's best.
Pitching has them in the race, but it's not like they aren't getting any help from the offense. Hanley Ramirez is not just the best hitter on the team; he's one of the top five in the game. When you have a player of that caliber in your lineup, it makes the guys around him better.
Cody Ross has piled up hits in clutch situations because pitchers would rather go after him than Ramirez. Dan Uggla has now started to provide a hot bat, and the trade for Nick Johnson cements the middle of that lineup. Johnson also brings his great defensive skills to the table, which should help a team that's committed 67 errors this season.
This team is not only winning on the field, but they are becoming a more cohesive unit off it. During their struggles this year, Ramirez complained about the team not protecting him when opposing pitchers threw at him. Last week in Los Angeles, Ramirez was hit by Dodgers pitcher Jeff Weaver. Marlins' reliever Burke Badenhop took the initiative to protect the team's best hitter by throwing at one of the Dodgers' best in Orlando Hudson. As good a hitter as Ramirez is, he walks to the plate with a target on his back. He needs to know that if something goes wrong, his teammates are prepared to fight back for him at all costs. This team has figured out that having each other's back contributes to a winning mentality.
As good as this team is, and with all the potential it has, I don't see the Marlins making the postseason this time around. They'll probably hang on the periphery, but they won't be a serious threat, not with the defending champion Phillies in their division. Same thing with the wild card -- hang around, but not get the spot.
If there was a perfect time for them to make up some ground in both races, it would be this week. On Tuesday, they coughed up their first chance, giving up six runs in the eighth inning to waste a 4-0 lead. You can't lose games like that and hope to contend for a playoff spot.
The Marlins got off to a hot start in April, but fell under .500 before May came to an end. Now, they've been able to make up some ground and see themselves back in the NL East and NL wild-card races. One of the big keys to this team's success is the pitching of its young ace, Josh Johnson. Johnson is one of the best pitchers in the National League at 10-2 (he pitched seven solid innings before getting in trouble in the eighth against the Nationals on Tuesday), but he's incredibly underrated because he plays for the Marlins. You could plug him in just about any rotation and he would be a No. 1 or No. 2 starter. He's a huge contributor every fifth day because of his ability to go deep into games and preserve a mediocre bullpen, though it was the bullpen that helped do him and the Marlins in Tuesday. Ricky Nolasco has also pitched well in this rotation after being sent to the minors in June. Nolasco and Johnson are a scary 1-2 punch. Add in Chris Volstad, who has been a good No. 3, and the rotation is among the league's best.
Pitching has them in the race, but it's not like they aren't getting any help from the offense. Hanley Ramirez is not just the best hitter on the team; he's one of the top five in the game. When you have a player of that caliber in your lineup, it makes the guys around him better.
Cody Ross has piled up hits in clutch situations because pitchers would rather go after him than Ramirez. Dan Uggla has now started to provide a hot bat, and the trade for Nick Johnson cements the middle of that lineup. Johnson also brings his great defensive skills to the table, which should help a team that's committed 67 errors this season.
This team is not only winning on the field, but they are becoming a more cohesive unit off it. During their struggles this year, Ramirez complained about the team not protecting him when opposing pitchers threw at him. Last week in Los Angeles, Ramirez was hit by Dodgers pitcher Jeff Weaver. Marlins' reliever Burke Badenhop took the initiative to protect the team's best hitter by throwing at one of the Dodgers' best in Orlando Hudson. As good a hitter as Ramirez is, he walks to the plate with a target on his back. He needs to know that if something goes wrong, his teammates are prepared to fight back for him at all costs. This team has figured out that having each other's back contributes to a winning mentality.
As good as this team is, and with all the potential it has, I don't see the Marlins making the postseason this time around. They'll probably hang on the periphery, but they won't be a serious threat, not with the defending champion Phillies in their division. Same thing with the wild card -- hang around, but not get the spot.
If there was a perfect time for them to make up some ground in both races, it would be this week. On Tuesday, they coughed up their first chance, giving up six runs in the eighth inning to waste a 4-0 lead. You can't lose games like that and hope to contend for a playoff spot.
So in an article that's supposed to be why the Marlins won't make the playoffs, he instead gives plenty of reasons why they could/should/would make the postseason. A brilliant mind that Chris Singleton.
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