The Miami Marlins Bats Have Been Too Inconsistent Lately

Every ball club goes through a slump, but the Miami Marlins have just been flat out inconsistent at the plate the past fifteen games.

The Miami Marlins have lost games in many different ways this season. Lack of hitting, lack of starting pitching, and some bullpen meltdowns.

While the starting pitching has struggled, Miami’s hitting has also been plagued by inconsistency. The team has also failed to pick each other up regularly. Instances in which the bullpen failed to hold a lead, Marlins hitters have found themselves unable to respond. To this point, only one thing has been consistent, that is the inconsistency of the bats.

The team has had games where they explode, like the 10 run game against the Rays. However, on the following night the team only managed one run. Two nights later, the Fish managed to score seven against the Mets, but failed to capitalize on a number of other opportunities. The bullpen imploded, and suddenly the Fish were down one.

Despite the loss, scoring seven runs will still win you a lot of games. The following night, they scored only three runs in another loss to the Mets.

These are two prime examples of the inconsistency so far. The start of the season looked promising as runs were being put up at a good pace. Frustration has been taking over lately, though.

What has happened to the aggressiveness?

Outside of Marcell Ozuna, J.T. Realmuto and Miguel Rojas, it’s been a struggle. There’s been a lot of double plays hit, and a lot of runners left on base. Some of this can be credited to the ball club being less aggressive lately.

The first part of the season guys were trying to take the extra base, hit and runs were being ran and some guys even tried to steal a base or two. Now, it’s back to more of last season, the conventional way.

A station to station approach depending on the hitter executing their at bat to the fullest. There’s been less pressure on defenses allowing them, and the pitcher to relax a little bit.

The Dee Gordon bunt in San Diego is the perfect example of this. Even if they get him at first, at least the man was moved from first to second. If they didn’t make the play (which they didn’t), the throw will be down the right field line causing havoc.

Can you get on base?

Plate discipline has also been an issue. The team as a whole is wasting too many at bats, swinging early in counts, or failing to take advantage of a hitters count. Everyone is guilty to this problem.

The Miami Marlins rank 28^th in all of the MLB with 75 walks. Better approaches have to be taken if the Fish want to fix this problem. The Marlins have witnessed first-hand how drawing walks can help score runs.

Next: That time we thought Derek Jeter owned the Marlins

The Miami Marlins have shown us why we have such high expectations at times. They have also shown us why we have doubt every year. Hopefully the ball club can gain consistency as the year goes on, and right the ship.