Apr 25, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Kevin Slowey (45) looks on from the dugout in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

While the NFL had the spotlight last night for the 2013 NFL Draft, the Miami Marlins were in Miami playing host to the Chicago Cubs. Although both the Marlins and the Cubs are teams that are struggling to find themselves in the W column, these two teams always seem to match-up great against each other, giving the fans an exciting game all the way down to the final pitch. Last night was no different as the Marlins and Cubs put on a show for the audience at the ballgame and for the audience watching at home or at a local sports bar.

The opening game of this four game series featured Miami’s Kevin Slowey and Chicago’s Edwin Jackson. Despite a win-less record, Kevin Slowey has impressed many Marlin fans this season with a couple of quality starts early on in the year. Last night however was easily Slowey’s worst performance of the season, giving up three earned in six innings of work. Unlike Slowey, Edwin Jackson has been a bit of a disappointment to Cubs fans. Jackson, who is 0-3 on the season continued to have his fair-share of struggles last night against a below average Miami offense, giving up three runs and four walks in six innings.

Apr 25, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro (13) connects for an RBI single in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs started off the game the right way, after David DeJesus scored off of Starlin Castro’s single to center. With the Cubs holding an early lead, the Marlins needed to counter the Cubs offense. Surprisingly, they were able to do so after Edwin Jackson walked Rob Brantly with the bases loaded, scoring Placido Polanco. For the Marlins, scoring in the first inning has been a rarity this season. Not only were they able to start off by scoring in the first, but they were also able to score twice in the second after Juan Pierre and Giancarlo Stanton had RBI hits. Throughout the season it has not been a secret that the offense is historically bad, ranking last in almost every major category. The quick start was just what the Marlins needed in order to put themselves in a position to win a ballgame.

Unfortunately, the true Marlins offense showed up to play after the second inning, as they managed to only get two hits from the fourth to the ninth inning. The inconsistency of the Marlins offense showed last night. Much like the Marlins, the Cubs had their own problems trying to generate hits.

It wasn’t until late when the game started to get exciting. The ninth inning might have been one of the most exciting innings in a Marlins game this year. The Marlins sent out closer Steve Cishek to pitch the ninth inning. Sadly, Cishek continued to struggle, giving up a home-run to Luis Valbuena. The Marlins yet again were under pressure to score. After being able to match the Cubs run in the first inning, the Marlins felt like they would be able to do it again. The team was in a great position to tie up the ball game as well. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, the Marlins had runners on first and second. Placido Polanco stepped up to the plate with hopes of driving in the game tying run. Throughout the season Polanco has arguably been the Marlins best offensive weapon, as he leads the team in batting average, on base percentage and hits. Unfortunately, Polanco was unable to get the job done, after a fly out to center. With one out remaining and two men on, the Marlins had the right man up to bat; Giancarlo Stanton. Although he hasn’t exactly been money this season, Stanton has been able to get his batting average up over the past couple of games. Marlins fans have seen the clutch gene in Stanton before, but last night we were treated to a strikeout to end the game in a 4-3 loss.

Apr 25, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney (15) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Miami Marlins 4-3 at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Marlins look to get back in the win column tonight, as they will send Wade LeBlanc to the mound to face off against Scott Feldman. Not only are both pitchers 0-3, but both of them also have ERA’s over 4.

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July 15, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher

Sigh.

It happened again.  The Marlins stranded eight runners in scoring position with two outs and left 11 men on base in a 4-0 loss to the Nationals. The Nationals played the small ball that was successful for the Marlins last night, scoring their four runs on base hits and a sacrifice fly.

Ricky Nolasco went 5 1/3 innings this afternoon, striking out two while giving up two walks, six hits, and four earned runs. From the other side, Stephen Strasburg walked one and fanned seven in a six-hit shutout.

Blown saves by Heath Bell notwithstanding, the biggest single impediment to success this season continues to be basic offense.  We saw a glimpse of the possibilities last night, but until the Marlins can perform at the big-league level, they will continue to look like a AAA offense. The differentiator is consistency.  There are so many ballplayers that have big-league skills, yet continue to languish in the bus leagues. If they would demonstrate consistency, the big-league clubs would find space for them on the rosters. It’s what the Marlins are missing.

With consistent above average offensive performance, so many of the other complaints about the team would fade into the background. Three simple base hits separated the Marlins from victory tonight.

It’s fashionable to rail on Heath Bell right now, and he’s becoming the lightning rod for blame assignment.  I don’t think that all of that weight belongs on Bell’s shoulders, however. I think the lion’s share of the blame belongs on the Marlins’ offense.

Tomorrow evening, Edwin Jackson takes the mound against Carlos Zambrano.  In what looks to be the series matchup most in the Marlins’ favor, Big Z 2.0 is a treat to watch, working quickly, and with an enigmatic smile that has to be disconcerting to his opponents. The PABLWC* has also come out with a favorable endorsement of Zambrano.

Prediction: Marlins by two.

Comment Chum:  What changes should the front office make to spark the offense?

*The Professional Association of Big League Water Coolers

Led by the aggressive hustle of Bryce Harper, the Nationals handed loss 45 to the Marlins tonight.  Harper stretched a single into a double in his first at-bat on a Logan Morrison fielding error.  A few pitches later, while Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes were on the edge of the infield grass having a tête-a-tête with Josh Johnson, Harper noted that the ball was still in play, and hauled ass for third.   It was an outstanding example of the hustle that the Marlins would do well to emulate.

July 13, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman

Jordan Zimmermann led the Nats’ defense, notching 6 strikeouts  while holding the Fish to 1 run, a seventh-inning John Buck RBI.  The Marlins struggled once again at the plate, especially with the street-corner curve that Zimmermann was using as his “out” pitch.  The Marlins were clearly outmatched at the plate,  logging seven hits to score one run. Going 1-6 with runners in scoring position, it’s clear that the All-star break didn’t cure our batting woes.

Tonight marked the return of Emilio Bonifacio to the lineup and the first of a 4-6 week absence of Giancarlo Stanton.

A bad throw to first from Jose Reyes broke up a third inning double play opportunity that would have prevented the subsequent Ryan Zimmerman 2-run home run.

Josh Johnson struggled to find the strike zone, although his down-and-left slider was biting well. He struck out six on the way to giving up 5 earned runs after 5 1/3 innings.

To summarize:  The Nationals consistently hit hard line drives for base hits. We don’t. Jordan Zimmermann painted the corners tonight, and J.J. didn’t.

So, a disappointing start of the second half.  On the heels of the slap in the face from the League in not having any Marlins at the All-star game, I’m hoping that the team finds a way to dig deep and find the moxie that illuminated May.

Tomorrow night, Mark Buehrle faces Gio Gonzalez. My prediction that tomorrow night will once again look like the league leader facing a sub-.500 team, but I’d be very happy to be proven wrong.

Correction:  In my series preview, I incorrectly called this a three-game series.  Carlos Zambrano faces Edwin Jackson on Monday.  That game represents our best chance for a win in the series.

After the victory on Memorial Day, the Marlins trail the Washington Nationals in the NL East by just two and a half games. The team is currently tied with the New York Mets for second place in the division. Here is a look at the current standings after all the games yesterday:

Stadium: Marlins Park

Five-year Run PF*: N/A
Five-year HR PF*: N/A
Stadium Dimensions:
Left field line—340 ft.
Left-center field—384 ft.
Center field—416 ft.
Right-center field—392 ft.
Right field line—335 ft.

*Five-year regressed park factors provided by Patriot here

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