Miami Marlins @ Kansas City Royals Game Preview: Tuesday August 13th 8:10 PM EST (Game 117)

Aug 12, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Miami Marlins first baseman Logan Morrison (5) drives in a run with a hit in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

First, the bad news: Miami is in danger of losing their fourth consecutive series with a loss to the Kansas City Royals tonight.  Now the good news: Miami is sending their best hope to the mound as Jose Fernandez will try to win his 9th game of the season tonight.  One of the few bright spots for the Marlins on the season, Jose Fernandez has been sensational.  The All-Star will try to slow down a Kansas City team that has won 17 of their last 20 games and finds itself in the middle of a chase for the playoffs.  The Royals have not made the playoffs since 1985 but have a young, talented team that seems determined to end that streak.

Fernandez has certainly turned heads as the 20-year-old has pitched well beyond his years.  He has allowed more than 2 earned runs only once in his last 12 starts, and that was 3 runs a month ago in St. Louis.  He has already set the Marlins rookie record for strikeouts in a game this season with 14 and he is becoming well-known in South Florida for his passion for the game.  Don’t expect Fernandez to challenge that rookie strikeout mark tonight though.  Kansas City currently ranks dead last in strikeouts per game in the American League this year.  Certainly a statistic that you want to be at the bottom of.

Kansas City will counter with an elder statesman compared to Jose, Bruce Chen.  Chen is a 36-year-old journeyman reliever who, after 8 different teams, has found a home in Kansas City.  He has pitched very well out of the bullpen this year and the Royals decided to move him into the starting rotation a month ago.  He has responded by allowing 4 earned runs total in his last 4 starts, all Kansas City wins.  His ERA currently sits at 1.79.  The lefty will face a lineup that has struggled to score runs this season.

Probable Starters

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Marlins Lineup

Lineup

Player

Current wOBA

Proj. wOBA (Rest of Season)

1

Christian Yelich

.306

.314

2

.278

.281

3

Giancarlo Stanton

.351

.393

4

Logan Morrison

.353

.346

5

Placido Polanco

.274

.283

6

.273

.281

7

Adeiny Hechavarria

.258

.275

8

Jake Marisnick

.204

.290

9

Jeff Mathis

.241

.259

Bold Prediction:  Jose Fernandez continues his dominance, particularly over an opponent that hasn’t faced him yet.  Giancarlo Stanton hits a mammoth solo-shot and the Marlins score just enough runs to edge out the Royals 4-2!