Another June day, another Miami Marlins loss. The Marlins continued their losing ways in the month of June, falling to 3-10 for the month of June in 2012, and 19-37 over the past three seasons in the torturous month. Last night the Marlins got one hit and allowed eleven runs. As bad as the offense is playing right now, not likely to happen again.

Last night’s game is something that the Marlins players and fans will need to forget and move onto the next game. The Marlins will be sending Anibal Sanchez to the mound tonight. Anibal has struggled in his previous two outings, after a strong start to the 2012 season. The Marlins also hope to have Hanley Ramirez back in the lineup, as he was out yesterday after missing yesterday’s game after an accident involving a ball hitting his nose in the cage.

Stadium: Tropicana Field

Five-year Run PF*: N/A
Five-year HR PF*: N/A
Stadium Dimensions:
Left field line—315 ft.
Left-center field—371 ft.
Center field—407 ft.
Right-center field—371 ft.
Right field line—322 ft.

*Five-year regressed park factors provided by Patriot here

Head to Head

The Marlins team ERA continues to climb higher, and higher. The teams FIP still sits at around 3.63, indicating that the Marlins pitching has not been as bad as they have shown over the past ten games. The Marlins hitting, on the other hand, is a major concern for the team right now, especially coming off of a one hit loss like they did last night.

Tonight’s match-up will also be a rematch of the game we saw last Sunday. James Shields in that game improved to 4-0 with a 0.36 ERA in his last four appearances – three starts – versus the Marlins. Shields allowed one run and four hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 4-2 victory at Miami on Sunday. Shields, though, is 0-2 with a 5.12 ERA in his last three starts at home. Maybe the Marlins can crack him this game and get something going offensively? Maybe that is way too optimistic of thinking on my part.

The Marlins will be sending out Anibal Sanchez. Sanchez had been pitching very well this season, until recently. Sanchez, who had been the Marlins best starting pitcher for the first two months of the season, has fallen off very hard recently. Sanchez has lost five of his last six starts with a 4.85 ERA in that span. The Marlins will need a better start from him in order to have a shot to win this game. Sanchez will be seeking redemption against the Rays after he pitched a season-low six innings his last time against them. Sanchez had one very bad inning in which everything fell apart for him last time out.

Marlins Lineup

The Marlins will likely deploy the same lineup as they did last night, except the team hopes that Hanley Ramirez can return to the lineup for the Marlins. The Marlins will need a strong offensive output to get into a groove and start winning ballgames on a consistent basis because of their bats.

With a right handed pitcher going, there is also a shot that the Marlins may decide to play Scott Cousins to make his 2012 season debut.

Prediction:

Unlike last night, I have a good feeling about tonight’s ballgame. The Marlins will win this ballgame by the final score of 6-1. Anibal Sanchez will deliver a strong start for the Marlins, going seven innings, only allowing three hits and one earned run. Giancarlo Stanton will hit a home run and Hanley Ramirez will collect three hits for the Marlins.