Miami Marlins 2015 Schedule Released

Sep 5, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Evan Gattis (24) is late on tagging out Miami Marlins first baseman Justin Bour (48) at home plate during the seventh inning at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

April:

6th-9th: Opening Series

Opponent: Atlanta Braves

The baseball season will start of later next year, starting on the 6th of April as opposed to the 1st of 2nd the past two seasons. The Marlins opponent is appropriately the team that they had the most success against in the NL East this season and should continue to be a team they need to beat to contend for a playoff spot next season.

A good start to the season against their division rivals could go a long ways in helping the Marlins set the tone for a big 2015 season. A slow start and the Marlins can dig a deep hole that could be hard to get out of.

10th-12th: Citrus Series

Opponent: Tampa Bay Rays

Right off the bat, the Marlins play their second consecutive “rival.” This time they kick off the Citrus Series against the Rays. This would be the earliest start to the Citrtus Series in it’s history. The teams will matchup for 2 three game series this season, instead of  2 two game sets last year.

The Rays will be looking for revenge this series, as the Marlins swept the Rays in four games last year. 2014 has been a struggle for the Rays and the team hopes to be near the top of the AL East next season.

24th-26th: Face likely NL East Winners

Opponent: Washington Nationals

This can be landmarked as the next major series for the Marlins in the first month of 2015. The Marlins will challenge the Nationals, the team that is positioned well to take the National League East title. The Marlins have never won their division in franchise history and a strong showing against them is going to be needed to make 2015 the first time.

The Nationals always seem to make a big free agent splash, so it could be interesting to see what they do this off-season.

May 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich (21), center fielder Marcell Ozuna (13) and left fielder Reed Johnson (5) high five after the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Marlins won 13-3. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

May:

7th-10th/11-13: West Coast Trip to Cali

Opponent: San Francisco Giants & Los Angeles Dodgers

Giancarlo Stanton and the Miami Marlins always take solace in making their annual west coast trips to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Stanton has always raked on these trips and usually has a large number of family in friends in attendance in both venues. Conveniently enough, these two teams are also two players for Stanton if he hits the trade market.

This road trip will mark the first chance to face National League contenders outside of their division. They only play these two teams two different times throughout the series, so each game head-to-head counts a bit more if the Marlins want to contend next season.

22nd-24th: Cruz vs Cruz?

Opponent: Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles make their Spring Training home in the Ft. Lauderdale area and will be back near that area for this series. The O’s have been a major surprise this season, running away with the usually competitive American League East.

This series would pit two of the premier power hitters in baseball against each other. Giancarlo Stanton versus Nelson Cruz. The two have been toe-to-toe in the Major League home run race in 2014. Cruz currently has 39 home runs and Stanton has 36 on the season.

Mar 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

June:

1st-3rd: Kris Bryant to Miami?

Opponent: Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are not likely to be a contending team in 2015, but that doesn’t mean that a series against them shouldn’t be compelling. The Marlins could get their first glimpse of promising young prospects Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, and Kris Bryant in early June, when the Cubs visit Miami.

A matchup between the Marlins top pitching prospects and the Cubs top hitting prospects could be a fun sight to see for next several seasons. The series will also mark another home coming for Anthony Rizzo, a guy I actually got to see play at Stoneman Douglas High School back in the day. Jacob Turner will be making his first return to Miami for the first time since being traded in early August.

The Cubs, like the Marlins, are an up-and-coming franchise and should be a strong contender by the 2016 series.

5th-7th: Coors Field

Opponent: Colorado Rockies

Every time the Marlins visit Coors Field, I am sure to mark it on the calender as a must see game. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing the best power hitter in baseball hitting the ball in the Mile High City.

8th-10th: Reyes and Buehrle face Loria

Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays

This series will be the perfect opportunity for Jose Reyes and owner Jeffery Loria catch up on Reyes’ lack of a search for a home in Miami. Loria should avoid any conversations about pitbulls with Buehrle, as the left hander cannot keep them in Toronto, which was a major factor in him choosing Miami as his free agent destination.

While the Marlins and their fans are now happy with the trade that went down with the Jays, it’s going to be interesting to see if either of the two players traded from Miami still harbor any ill feelings towards the franchise.

This series could be our opportunity to find out.

Adeiny Hechavarria and Henderson Alvarez also face the organization that signed them and gave them their first opportunity this year.

15th-18th: Yanks visit Miami

Opponent: New York Yankees

The Yankees and the Marlins will have a four-game home and home series, like the Marlins had with the Tampa Bay Rays this season. This will be the Yankees squad that will be without Derek Jeter for the first time in forever. Don’t worry though, there will still be an overrated short stop that gets more hype than he receives playing in the series.

Loria has always wanted to run the Marlins like the Yankees, but without spending any money.

Aug 16, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Brad Penny (R) talks with teammate starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (L) in the dugout during the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Marlins Ballpark. The Marlins won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

July:

7th-8th: Stanton faces Miami for first time?

Opponent: Boston Red Sox

Yes, the headline is a reach, as the Marlins are not likely to trade Stanton this off-season. However, if he turns down a contract extension from the team in the off-season, it would not shock me to see the team pull the trigger for an over the top offer.

If that does happen, the Sox are going to be near the top of the teams trying to get Stanton. He profiles well at Fenway, and the Sox have the money and prospects to get a deal done. The Sox winning ways and attempts to build a perennial winner will also play a huge factor into Stanton wanting to sign long-term.

July 14th: All-Star Game:

Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Henderson Alvarez, Marcell Ozuna, and Steve Cishek could all be positioned to play in the Mid-Summer classic. Who knows who else could surprise and play in this game.

17th-19th: Jose Fernandez Returns?

Opponent: Philadelphia Phillies

The Marlins have said they hope to have Jose Fernandez back after the All-Star break, which would fall into around this time frame. Fernandez experienced a rough outing in his lone start in Philly last season, so it would be nice to see him comeback tour start there.

Fernandez’s return to the Marlins staff could be a huge boost, especially if the team is hanging around for a playoff spot. Upon his return, this could be the look of the Marlins rotation:

1. Jose Fernandez
2. Henderson Alvarez
3. Andrew Heaney
4. Nathan Eovaldi
5. Jarred Cosart

I get giddy thinking of how difficult this rotation can make it for opponents when they are all together.

The return of Jose would also give our writer Andy Salgado a chance to finally shave his head and beard.

Sep 7, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (39) congratulates relief pitcher A.J. Ramos (44) after the Marlins defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-0 at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

August & September:

I combine the final two months, as the Marlins are not going to be facing any significant opponent these two final months they haven’t already faced.

The biggest series will take place in the middle of the month, when the Sox visit Miami. Could this be a homecoming for Stanton? I sure hope not.

The 12th and final home stand for the Marlins will begin on September 22nd, with series against the Phillies and Braves. After that series, the Marlins will hit the road and finish their season against the Rays and then the Phillies again.

With the season beginning later, it will also end later. The Marlins final regular season game will be October 4th, but the hope in Miami will be that there are more meaningful games beyond that.