May 7, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Alex Sanabia (28) talks with catcher Miguel Olivo (21) during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins will look to extend their winning streak to two tonight as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are coming fresh off a walk-off win against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon.

The Phillies will send out Cole Hamels, hoping he can start turning things around for himself, and the team in 2013. The Marlins counter with Alex Sanabia and hope they are still within reach of the game when he comes out.

Check out my chat with Justin Klugh to get a feel for the Phillies coming into this series. Also check out the series preview for in depth scouting reports on the pitching matchups this series.

Cole Hamels	V	Alex Sanabia
9	GS	8
56.2	IP	45.0
4.61	ERA	5.00
4.81	FIP	5.96
47	K	25
24	BB	23

Marlins Lineup

Same lineup as the one Redmond rolled out in Sunday’s win. This lineup barely put two runs on the board, but they won, so this is what Redmond will go with tonight. Coghlan is 7-for-21 in his career with two home runs against Hamels.

Phillies Lineup

With Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz both out with injuries, the Phillies lineup looks nearly as pathetic as the Marlins. Thankfully for Phillies fans, they have Chase Utley and a hot Michael Young. The Marlins lineup has neither.

The Great:

We avoided a sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks by winning this game 2-1. The inning that that gave us the win was the bottom of the 6^th where the Marlins bats finally came alive— but not at first. We started the inning with Ricky popping out to the seconded baseman; then it was followed by an Adeiny Hechavarria single. Unfortunately, he was not moved up by Placido Polanco who flied out to left field the next at bat. Then came Derek Dietrich who singled to left field moving Adeiny to 3^rd. Up came Marcell Ozuna, who with a 2-1 count and 2 out double off the left field wall scored Hech and Dietrich and the Marlins took a 2-0 lead.  Justin Ruggiano walked and then Chris Coghlan ground out to end the inning… but not without the damaged already done.

The Bad:

Our 9^th inning was not the prettiest inning of the game. We started with Ricky giving up a double to Didi Gregorius ending his day. In came Steve Cishek who started out well by having Paul Goldschmidt ground out to second, but that ground out moved Didi moved to 3^rd. Next came Jason Kubel who sac flied to left field, scoring Didi. Eric Chavez then singled and Martin Prado walked ending Steve’s day. Mike Dunn, who has been on point this season, came in and walked Miguel Montero loading the bases. A. J. Pollock then came up and with a full count and grounded out to the shortstop ending the game and giving The Fish the win. This inning could have been a lot Uglier, but nevertheless it was Bad.

The Ricky:

May 14, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (47) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

This is the Ricky Nolasco that all the Marlins fans wanted to see all season! Ricky went 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, and a whopping 11 K! He struck out the side in the 5^th and the 8^th. Also having a 1-2-3 inning in the 2^nd (with a double play), the 6^th, and the 7^th. This was his best performance of the season and hopefully he can keep it up for the rest of the season.

In the end, it was a fun game to be at live. The crowd was so alive, the players were playing their hardest, and Ricky was amazing. If we can keep this up all season I can see the fans coming back. Until next time, enjoy your week and Let’s Go Marlins!

May 7, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Will Venable (25) breaks up a double play attempt by Miami Marlins third baseman Chris Valaika (13) during the third inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins currently as many wins (10) as they do players on the disabled list (10). Unfortunately for the Fish, the number of players on the DL seem to be growing faster than the digits in the win column. Starting pitcher Alex Sanabia and second baseman Chris Valaika both left Tuesday’s loss with injuries.

Alex Sanabia labored through his 4 1/3 innings before leaving with a tight groin. Sanabia surrendered four runs on nine hits, while striking out three and walking two. In the fifth, after striking out Yonder Alonso, catcher Miguel Olivo sensed something was wrong with Sanabia and went to visit him on the mound. After talking for a minute, Olivo motioned for the Marlins training staff to come to the mound.

Manager Mike Redmond took the ball from Sanabia and brought in Ryan Webb to relieve the right hander. Sanabia will reevaluated tomorrow and could be placed on the disabled list if the injury is severe enough. The Marlins are already down two starters in Nathan Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez.

In the bottom of the eight inning, the Marlins received another huge scare. On a stolen base attempt, Alonso ran into second baseman Chris Valaika and knocked him over. Valaika injured his hand on the play and left the game immediately. Chris Coghlan was brought into replace Valaika, making his first appearance at second base since his MLB debut (5/8/10).

The Marlins have quite a few options to call up from their 40-man roster if Sanabia is forced to the DL. Duane Below and Brad Hand could be options as starters.  The team also has a number of relievers that could get the call, with Tom Koehler moving into the rotation.

Not sure if Jacob Turner is an option for the Fish at this time, but the team could sure use him at this point.

If Valaika heads to the DL, the Marlins only options on the 40-man roster are outfield prospect Kyle Jensen or Austin Kearns returning from the bereavement list. Not sure if Kearns is ready to return to the team, but he would have to be off the active roster for at least one more game.

If the Marlins go with one of the outfielders, they will have no choice but to move Coghlan back to second and keep Nick Green in his utility role. Either way, the Marlins are starting to run out of hitting options on their 40-man roster.

Here is a look at the Marlins disabled list as of right now:

@gobblex239 you forgot Ceda and Silverio. twitter.com/MarlinsChick87…

— crystal thrower (@MarlinsChick87) May 8, 2013

Stay tuned to Marlin Maniac for the latest injury updates on Valaika, Sanabia, and the rest of the 10-man disabled list roster.

Update 1:20 AM: 

#Marlins P Alex Sanabia (groin) said he doesn’t expect to miss his next start. Said test results positive. No word on Valaika yet — Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) May 8, 2013

Update 1:26 AM:

#Marlins utility man Chris Valaika said he has a small fracture on his left radius bone on his wrist.

— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) May 8, 2013

We will now continue with the burning questions we started looking at earlier today:

Mar 12, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (47) rubs the baseball during a spring training game against the Houston Astros at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

4. Will Ricky Nolasco be on the Marlins all season long or will he be traded at some point? Who else can you see being dealt?

Ehsan: If Ricky can provide the Marlins with a strong first half, the team will be able to trade Nolasco away to a contending team searching for starting pitching. The team can maximize it’s return by eating a portion of the money owed to Nolasco. Juan Pierre, Placido Polanco, and Steve Cishek could be hot commodities at the deadline as well.

Andy: He will stay. The only players I can see being traded are Chris Coghlan which is sad cause I really like him, he has just had a few bad breaks, and maybe some good farm players.

Justen: He’ll be dealt in my opinion. When the deadline comes, he’ll be long gone. Morrison is someone I can see being traded as well if he struggles.

Geoff: Gone at the trade deadline, as long as Fernandez doesn’t completely tank when he comes up.

Will: Nolasco will be dealt unless something bizarre happens and were firmly in contention. Can also see Juan Pierre, Steve Cishek, Placido Polanco, Greg Dobbs, and potentially Kotchman if he shows he can play average ball.

David: Ricky will be with the team until deadline day, when he will be traded for a relief prospect. Placido Polanco and Kevin Slowey will both be traded.

Alex: Barring any sort of injury, Nolasco will probably be moved by the deadline. Teams looking to put themselves over for a playoff run can pick up the righty for a reasonable price to a team in the middle of rebuilding.

Placido: Nolasco will be traded by June. Juan Pierre and Casey Kotchman will also be dealt away by the trading deadline.

James: I imagine that if some team makes the right offer for Nolasco he will be gone by the trade deadline. Steve Cishek is someone who, if the Marlins are playing dismally come the trading deadline, I could see him being shipped elsewhere.

5. Which Marlins pitcher will have a breakout season? How about Marlins hitter?

Ehsan: I have been enamored with Nathan Eovladi since the Miami Marlins acquired him from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Hanley Ramirez trade. I think he will become the Marlins best pitcher by seasons end, before being overtaken by Jose Fernandezin 2014. I have faith that Chris Coghlan will resurface as a capable major league hitter this season.

Mar 23, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi (24) throws in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Andy: Wade LeBlanc and Cishek will be the surprise pitchers for the Marlins this year. We all know what Cishek can do in a shorten season, just wait and see what he is goign to do when he has the closing job. Leblanc has the stuff to be a great pitcher but no one has any faith in him out side the Marlins he will shock them. I like Hech’s bat he’s not a power hitter but he will get on base and that is what the Marlins need for Giancarlo.

Justen: Nathan Evoaldi will be the breakout pitcher this season, hopefully making the Hanley trade look a little better.

Geoff: Eovaldi. Brantly.

Will: Nathan E for the breakout pitcher. High ceiling, love his stuff. Break out hitter, hopefully Logan Morrison.

David: Slowey will have a solid start of the season and be traded in July. Cishek will look other-worldly in the bullpen. Logan Morrison will finally do what everyone knows he’s capable of.

Alex: Despite his rocky spring, I have a lot of faith in Jacob Turner. After the Tigers rushed him through their system, a quick minor league stint to refine his pitching approach, control, and perhaps his changeup will pay dividends. As for hitters, I don’t think Donovan Solano will put up All-Star numbers, but his aggressive play style will quickly make him a fan favorite. Whether he’s playing well or not, his high-energy attitude will at least make fans happy.

Placido: Henderson Alvarez will finally learn to control an offspeed pitch and have a breakout season. Rob Brantly will take advantage of hitting in the middle of the order and produce an 80 RBI season.

James: I hope to see Nate Eovaldi have a great season, I know he’s still relatively green, but I like his stuff.  As for Marlins hitter, I would really like to see Logan Morrison break out and be the star that we all know he can be.

6. Make a bold prediction (or two) for the season.

Ehsan: The Miami Marlins will not be in last place in the NL East and Logan Morrison will return to form for the Marlins, solidifying his role as the first baseman of the future for the Fish.

Andy: Marlins will win more games then last year! They will win the World Series. (What I’m a fan, I always believe my team is going to win the Series every year)

Justen: Bold prediction… Hm… The Marlins will win 70 games this season. As bad as the season might look right now, there are always other factors that take place during the season. Look at us last season, it didn’t work out. Who’s to say the Braves are going to be good or the Nats can repeat their success.

Geoff: Loria finds a way to pay Stanton. (Editors note: This would be every Marlins fans dream come true).

Will: The Marlins will win more games than they did last season. Rob Brantly will exceed expectations and remain stable at the C position for a long time.

David: Chris Coghlan will log 125 starts and put up an OPS over .750. The Marlins are over .500 for the month of August.

Alex: The Marlins play spoiler for the Nationals at the end of the season, helping the Braves clinch first in the NL East.

Placido: After Nolasco, Pierre, Polanco and Kotchman are traded Bud Selig decides he has had enough and makes it his primary goal to get the Marlins a new owner by the time he retires in 2014. Kevin Slowey capatilizes on his opportunity and the dimensions of Marlins Park to post a sub 4.00 ERA and 12 Wins which leads to an $10 million+ contract as a free agent in the offseason with another team obviously.

James: My BOLD prediction is that the Marlins will finish the season with a better record than the New York Yankees (GASP!)

Mar 23, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Chris Coghlan (8) is forced out by St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Daniel Descalso (33) in the fourth inning during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins announced that Chris Valaika and Chris Coghlan got the nod over Wilson Valdez and Gorkys Hernandez, respectively.

Valaika hit .240/.264/.380 this spring, and offers a backup to either Polanco or Solano, depending on rest/platoon options. Valdez doesn’t offer nearly the consistency at the plate. He spent most of last season at AAA for Cincy, but their team was pretty stacked, and making a pennant run.

Cogs is a perennial near-miss for the Major Leagues, and this year doesn’t look any different.  Most likely, he’ll be a backup for Ruggiano in center until Yelich gets called up.  He’ll either get hung out as part of a trade near the deadline, or sent back to New Orleans.  For now, he’s in better hotels.  Personally, I’ve like Cogs, and I’m hoping he makes the best of this opportunity, and earns a permanent job.  His bat has been pretty good this spring (yesterday was the exception, to be sure)

The situation with Hernandez remains unclear.  He’s out of options, so if the Marlins send him down, he could be claimed off of waivers. Reportedly, the front office is shopping him around.

Now, the focus in the front office is Miguel Olivo, a recent FA. Olivo doesn’t bring much bat, but he is a veteran backup for Brantly.

Only three days to go!