Big Test #2: @ CIN, @ STL, Vs WSH, Vs PHI, No Off Days

[Omar]

Big Test #1: @ATL (2-1), @PHI (1-1)

With the Top 5 in the NL WC all done for the day, your Florida Marlins are going on the road with the 3rd best record in baseball (and the NL) and a 3 game lead on Cincinnati and St. Louis, the two closest teams. These two teams have two very important things in common: they are tied for the NL Central lead and they both are getting ready to welcome the Fish to town.

@ Cincinnati
4/29 7:10 Vazquez (1-2, 6.52) vs Wood (1-2, 5.40)
4/30 7:10 Johnson (3-0, 1.06) vs Volzquez (2-1, 6.35)
5/1 4:10 Nolasco (2-0, 3.24) vs Arroyo (3-2, 3.64)

@ St. Louis
5/2 8:15 Volstad (2-1, 5.32) vs Lohse (3-1, 2.01)
5/3 8:15 Sanchez (1-1, 3.86) vs McClellan (3-0, 2.16)
5/4 8:15 Vazquez vs Carpenter (0-2, 3.90)
5/5 1:45 Johnson vs Westbrook (2-2, 7.40)

vs Washington
5/6 7:10 Nolasco vs Zimmerman (1-4, 4.55)
5/7 7:10 Volstad vs Gorzelanny (0-2, 4.96)
5/8 1:10 Sanchez vs Hernandez (2-2, 3.48)

vs Philadelphia
5/9 7:10 Vazquez vs Hamels (3-1, 3.13)
5/10 7:10 Johnson vs Blanton (0-1, 5.92)
5/11 7:10 Nolasco vs Halladay (3-1, 2.41)

Arguably our toughest stretch of the year to date. The seven game roadtrip is one that isn't always favorable to us (especially StL), and we have a "trap" series against Washington before welcoming the biggest threat to our NL East Division title in Philly.

I'll predict 8-5, because we're the bestest.

First Test: 3-2 (1 rain out)

[HUGG]

I am going to the April 30th game.

/no one cares

[Omar]

That must mean that WGW

[Chewford]

I'm predicting a healthy dose of wgw.

[PitchingWinsGames]

Johnson pitches 3 times, I expect 3 wins (having a bonafide ace is cool)
Nolasco also goes 3 times, 2/3 from him
Sanchez goes 2 times, split those

Volstad/Vazquez go 5 times, so if the above is true, expect them to win at least 2 of those 5 seems reasonable

Basically, I agree with the 8-5 prediction

[MiamiHomer]

Will Hanley find his damn swing?

[PitchingWinsGames]

Will Hanley find his damn swing?

This and how will the bullpen hold up are the only questions

[DropkickAlex]

I have us pegged for 8.

[Fish and Chips]

I kinda view the road trip to CIN and STL as the big test. After that from May 6-17 the schedule is:
vs WSH
vs PHI
@ WSH
@ NYM

the 9 games against the nationals and the mets should be fun.

12-7 in the next 19 games would be for me.

[Bobbob1313]

I'm saying 7-6.

[DropkickAlex]

@ Cincinnati
4/29 7:10 Vazquez (1-2, 6.52) vs Wood (1-2, 5.40)
4/30 7:10 Johnson (3-0, 1.06) vs Volzquez (2-1, 6.35)
5/1 4:10 Nolasco (2-0, 3.24) vs Arroyo (3-2, 3.64)

@ St. Louis
5/2 8:15 Volstad (2-1, 5.32) vs Lohse (3-1, 2.01)
5/3 8:15 Sanchez (1-1, 3.86) vs McClellan (3-0, 2.16)
5/4 8:15 Vazquez vs Carpenter (0-2, 3.90)
5/5 1:45 Johnson vs Westbrook (2-2, 7.40)

vs Washington
5/6 7:10 Nolasco vs Zimmerman (1-4, 4.55)
5/7 7:10 Volstad vs Gorzelanny (0-2, 4.96)
5/8 1:10 Sanchez vs Hernandez (2-2, 3.48)

vs Philadelphia
5/9 7:10 Vazquez vs Hamels (3-1, 3.13)
5/10 7:10 Johnson vs Blanton (0-1, 5.92)
5/11 7:10 Nolasco vs Halladay (3-1, 2.41)

Bolded are the ones I think they will win and that's only 7 I'm sure one of the games I didn't think we would win, we actually do so that's 8.

[AdamRavs]

Both road series are going to be tough.. I think the Cinci one is going to be the toughest. At least 2 of the 3 we have our 1,2 going.. Arroyo is the type of pitcher we dont hit well tho.

I'm hoping we win 7 or 8 and will be just fine

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

Both road series are going to be tough.. I think the Cinci one is going to be the toughest. At least 2 of the 3 we have our 1,2 going.. Arroyo is the type of pitcher we dont hit well tho.

I'm hoping we win 7 or 8 and will be just fine

Add into that the fact that we don't play well in Cincy and that series is kind of scary.

[Omar]

Looks like we just missed this one, going 6-7 over the stretch. Lots of painful losses to prevent us from gaining ground on Philly.

[Ralph]

Coulda had sweep in stlouis and coulda taken 2 of 3 from phils.