Miami Marlins could (technically) win 100 games

It would take the streak of a lifetime, but the Miami Marlins could still notch their first triple-digit win season in franchise history.

Sitting at 60-62, the Miami Marlins have made an improbable run back to the even mark. At their lowest, they sat 13-games under .500, and with enough injuries to justifiably throw in the towel. They appear to have found their second wind and are stringing together victories.

They have 40-games left to play this season. If they win them all, they’ll finish the year 100-62 and end the year on a 41-game winning streak. That would nearly double the 21-game record for consecutive wins by the 1935 Chicago Cubs.

On the off chance the Marlins don’t win a quarter seasons worth of games in a row, a strong finish would still do them well.

Suppose for a moment that 86-wins is the benchmark to get into the playoffs. That means Miami would need to finish the season 26-14 the rest of the way, good for a .625 winning percentage. That would be a higher mark than they’ve averaged at any point this season.

But things appear to be trending in that direction for the Fish. Since putting themselves behind the blocks with a dreadful month of May, the team has averaged a .549 winning percentage. In the month of August alone, they’re at .611.

Their winning percentage has improved every month since posting a .357 mark for May. .519 in June, .538 in July, .611 in August. A modest improvement over what they’ve done this month should be good enough to get them into the playoffs.

Even the suggestion of as much seemed ludicrous only a month ago.

But the team has been good. Playoffs or not, they’re a far-cry from the team that appeared destined to be parceled off the highest bidders.

Closing the gap

This is the kind of Marlins team fans expected to see all season. The starting pitching hasn’t improved in terms of personnel, but they’re getting contributions in-house in a major way. Adam Conley has pitched well since being recalled. Justin Nicolino has been good enough early on.

The club is over the moon with what it has gotten out of starters Jose Urena and Dan Straily this season. Chris O’Grady appeared to be a nice piece before he went on the disabled list.

The bullpen has come a long way from being the disappointment it was early on. Most encouraging, the solutions have come primarily through players funneled through the system. The lineup has been as potent as any in Major League Baseball.

Next: Steckenrider emerging

While the Miami Marlins could still technically win in the triple-digits, 86-wins could be enough to grab them a playoff spot. They’ve played well enough lately to put themselves in position to make a run.

Dreaming of October baseball is still far off, but it isn’t the pipe dream it was only a month ago.