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Miami Marlins Morning Catch: Tom Koehler returns to midseason form

By Charlie Clarke |

Good morning, Marlin Maniac readers and welcome to Morning Catch, the daily morning news and notes column from MarlinManiac.com about your Miami Marlins.

Marlins starter Tom Koehler pitched arguably his best outing of the year last night, totaling his first double digit strikeout game of 2015 (10 K’s).

Yesterday’s start must have been reassuring for Koehler, whose recent struggles have been noticeable. In his prior eight starts, the righty has averaged four earned runs allowed per game, owning just a 1.65 K/BB ratio in that span.

Tom Koehler’s midsummer success proved to go unnoticed, however. His solid numbers in June and July seem to be overshadowed by his rough start to the season.

[table id=91 /]

Koehler’s line (9/9/15) — 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 K

So what can Tom Koehler do to keep up spectacular performances like this one?

The first step involves commanding pitches more efficiently. Koehler’s arsenal includes a four-seam fastball along with a knuckle-curve, slider, and sinker that each require substantial pitch control. Throughout the duration of his career, Koehler’s BB% has hovered around 3.40. But as seen in the above chart, he holds potential to lower that rate.

From there, many external outcomes will fall into place. Koehler’s K/BB ratio directly correlates with his success, as noted by his 1.65 K/BB during Koehler’s rough eight-game stretch.

The 29-year-old mid-rotational righty has never been much of a strikeout pitcher. But if he lowers his walk rate, Koehler can repeat starts like last night’s, making him a valuable three/four starter in the 2016 Marlins rotation.

ICYMI: Checking out 2016’s schedule and Christian Yelich’s second-half turnaround

From Around the Web:

Sources: Marlins want Jennings back in front office, not dugout — Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports

There is a reason the Miami Marlins have yet to announce the future of manager Dan Jennings.

They have not decided what that future will be.

Club officials, after meeting last Thursday in Miami, are expected to reconvene early next week in New York when the Marlins visit the New York Mets. (Read More Here)

Koehler ends own 7-game skid as Marlins win third consecutive series — Craig Davis, Sun Sentinal

Labor Day is past and South Florida’s thoughts are clearly on pigskin possibilities.

Rightfully so, considering the local baseball club squandered a chance to command the local sports spotlight when they had the stage to themselves at midsummer. To their credit, the Marlins have not turned full attention to watching their favorite football teams and are playing some of their best ball of the season lately. (Read More Here)

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Next: Examining the 2016 schedule

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