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Miami Marlins: Six things to watch for the rest of the season

By Charlie Clarke |
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Aug 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (right) is greeted at home plate after hitting a grand slam during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a tough, tough season to watch for Marlins fans. We’ve seen not many ups, but very many downs. Miami isn’t mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but all sides understand that they won’t be competing for a spot in the Fall Classic come October.

So what will the rest of the season be like?

#Marlins to use rest of season as map for 2016 Sent with http://t.co/RsMhXZdLeS At Bat http://t.co/L16t9Jmu4r — Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) August 13, 2015

All focus turns towards next season, as the Marlins will use the rest of August and September to figure things out. So what is there to watch for?

Jul 28, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Carter Capps (22) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

1. Who takes the closer spot?

In 2015’s early goings, the Marlins’ bullpen was a mess. Steve Cishek was inconsistent, losing his job to A.J. Ramos, and possibly lost Mike Redmond his managerial spot.

Since Cishek’s departure from the closer role, the back end of the bullpen has held up steadily. For a short stretch, Ramos and Capps worked as a deadly 8th-9th inning combo, posting some of the best numbers in baseball.

ICYMI: Comparing Ramos and Capps to the Yankees stellar back end of the ‘pen

Carter Capps eventually hit the DL and A.J. Ramos began to struggle. Ramos posted a 1.11 ERA mark in 40.1 innings throughout the first half, but his second half ERA of 8.68 has shown much less promise for the 28-year-old closer.

Capps is expected to return next week, and could compete for the closer role as well. It will also be interesting to see if Ramos reverts to his explosive 1.11 ERA ways when his late game partner returns.

2. Can Kyle Barraclough keep up his early success?

Barraclough has been better than advertised, giving up just one hit in his 2.2 inning sample size.

ICYMI: Evaluating Barraclough’s debut

However, the traits he possesses are just as we’ve seen, a strikeout pitcher who walks too many batters. He’s walked two thus far, punching out five. His fastball-slider combo has proven deadly when he can command those pitches, which isn’t a guarantee.

May 3, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jarred Cosart (23) delivers a pitch during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

3. How will Jarred Cosart perform after returning from injury?

Cosart, who has battled vertigo all season, is currently recovering and preparing to pitch again. The club expects him to be thrown back in the mix in a week or two.

The best case scenario is that Cosart pitches like the Marlins expected him to when trading for him. He owned a 3.69 ERA with both Houston and Miami in 2014, which I’m sure the Marlins would be satisfied with, so long that Cosart remains healthy.

ICYMI: Remnants of the Cosart deal

The worst case is that Jarred Cosart pitches like he has in 2015 (1-4, 5.36 ERA, 5.22 FIP). Fans already question and disagree with the decision to deal for Cosart, and a failed rotation option would further prove that point.

Aug 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (20) hits an RBI triple during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

4. Will J.T. Realmuto continue to take strides and become an above average catcher?

Yesterday, I wrote about J.T. Realmuto and his chances to become a legitimate catcher in the Marlins organization. Is it possible?

ICYMI: Is J.T. Realmuto the Marlins’ future at catcher?

The young backstop has taken strides this season, adjusting well to big league pitching. Can he continue to do so and bring his .255 average up?

His walk rate and BABIP are concerning, but experience should help that. Will he become more patient at the plate?

Aug 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon (9) reaches first base on a hit during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

5. How will Dee Gordon finish the season?

It’s been a tale of two halves for Dee Gordon.

Take his first half, where he proved to be one of the best hitters in the game, securing an all-star spot. His average hovered above .350 and he lead the league in hits for a long period of time.

Or take his second half, where Gordon has struggled to remain an above average hitter. I weighed these two sides of Gordon and wrote a piece on it — Can Dee Gordon sustain his success?

I drew the line somewhere in the middle, to which Dee Gordon decided to block me on Twitter and post this tweet:

Whatever motivates you, Dee. Since the article has been posted, Gordon has gone 5-11 with a homer, a triple, 3 RBI’s, 3 runs, and a stolen base.

Can he keep up this type of play?

Aug 11, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Justin Nicolino (60) throws the ball in the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

6. What will the rotation look like?

With Latos and Haren gone, Miami’s rotation has experimented with some young guns, Justin Nicolino and Adam Conley….and Jose Urena.

Anyway, Jose Fernandez and Henderson Alvarez seem done for the year. Will they be back for 2016?

In the meantime, let’s see what Nicolino and Conley, no. 3 and 4 prospects in Marlins system respectively (according to MLB.com), can bring to the table.

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