Archive for August, 2010

After that disappointing series against the division rival Philadelphia Phillies, the Marlins are getting a visit from the St. Louis Cardinals. Let’s hope this goes a bit better than the previous series. St. Louis Cardinals (60-48) @ Florida Marlins, August 6-8, Games 109-111 NL East Standings Tm W L Win% GB ATL 62 46 .574 – PHI 60 48 .556 2.0 NYM 54 54 .500 8.0 FLA 53 55 .491 9.0 WSN 48 61 .440 14.5 Stadium: Sun Life Stadium Five-year Run PF*: 0.99 Five-year HR PF*: 0.97 Stadium Dimensions: Left Field: 330 ft. Left-Center: 361 Center Field: 404 Right-Center: 361 [...]

Sure, it would be easy for me to blame umpire Bob Davidson for the Marlins’ troubles in this past series versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Of course, I would be totally wrong in doing so, as that would ignore the bullpen problems the team ran into the last three games along with the continued offensive struggle by the team. After all the Marlins did score just seven runs in the series, though it may be excusable since they faced two of the best starters on the Phillies team and one of the best in baseball overall in Roy Halladay. Nevertheless, the [...]

Remember the 2008 season? We had just traded Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis and the fans were already feeling bad for themselves coming off of a 71-91 season. The Marlins were looking bleak on the offensive side of the ball, losing their best hitter and potentially replacing him with a crew of journeymen including Jorge Cantu and Jose Castillo. Well, it seemed like it turned out fine in the end. The Marlins scored a respectable 770 runs that season, led by a quartet of infielders who pounded over 25 home runs each that year. The team of Cantu, Mike Jacobs, Dan [...]

With the trade of Jorge Cantu and the injury to Chris Coghlan, manager Edwin Rodriguez had to make some changes in the batting lineup. One change that should be familiar to fans is the move of Hanley Ramirez back to the leadoff spot from the #3 hole. With Hanley’s performance so far this season, fans might support the move, citing Hanley’s lack of power at a traditionally power-producing spot in the lineup. I too support the move, for more than just a lack of power. Moving Hanley Ramirez, the Marlins’ best hitter, to the leadoff spot is actually a better [...]

The Marlins start a three-game set tonight versus the Philadelphia Phillies, which means yet another fiercely competed series with a tough division rival. Philadelphia Phillies (57-48) @ Florida Marlins, August 3-5, Games 106-108 NL East Standings Tm W L Win% GB ATL 60 45 .571 – PHI 57 48 .543 3.0 FLA 53 52 .505 7.0 NYM 53 53 .500 7.5 WSN 47 59 .443 13.5 Stadium: Sun Life Stadium Five-year Run PF*: 0.99 Five-year HR PF*: 0.97 Stadium Dimensions: Left Field: 330 ft. Left-Center: 361 Center Field: 404 Right-Center: 361 Right Field: 345 *Five-year regressed park factors provided by Patriot here

A few days ago, Dan Uggla hit his 23rd home run of the season and seventh in the last week and a half. The home run was supposed to be special in that it was his 144th career shot, which put him in sole possession of the Marlins record for most home runs with the franchise (passing Mike Lowell). First off, congratulations to Uggla, who has really made a name for himself as an above average player and solid major leaguer despite being a former neglected minor leaguer and Rule 5 draft pick. But as rewarding as it is to [...]