Miami Marlins vs. Oakland Athletics: Three stories to watch

Will Stanton Regain His Stroke?

Next up, the Miami Marlins will need their All-Star slugger to get his swing back in a hurry.

Giancarlo Stanton seemingly dodged significant injury Saturday, and returns to the starting lineup after missing only a single start. But that Sunday also saw the Marlins forced to run with a lineup missing four Opening Day position players.

Coaches and players are talk about not making excuses, spouting next man up aphorisms. But four injured starters is a lot for any team. That barren a lineup can’t happen again with a series still in doubt. So how effective Stanton can be- hitting, fielding, throwing, all of it, merits special attention here.

Prior to that Saturday injury, he was so locked in. He wasn’t just driving in runs, he was flirting with being a .290 hitter. That’s a potential breakthrough.

If the Marlins are to survive the next two weeks, they are going to need the Stanton they’ve had at their disposal the previous two weeks.

Tuesday’s home run would seem to suggest relief is in order. The bigger test will be if he plays in Wednesday’s finale and how he holds up over the weekend in Atlanta. If it seems he’s being handled, it could be more of the same old story coming our way.