3 Key players for the Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays Series

The Miami Marlins are in the thick of the playoff hunt and mlb.com currently has them slotted at 9th in their latest power rankings. The Miami Marlins are slated to kick off a three game series versus the Toronto Blue Jays Monday night at 6:40 pm at home in loanDepot park. Here are three players to watch for the series, as the Marlins hope to continue their hot streak at home.

Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins, OF

Jesus Sanchez had probably the best catch of the season in Seattle for the Miami Marlins, and perhaps the best of the MLB. That play might have been Sanchez' only real significant contribution. Jesus Sanchez is playing right field and likely will start all three games there, to save Jorge Soler's knees from the tough turf and he needs to step it up at the plate.

Sanchez had an abysmal road trip, hitting .125 over the course of the 8 games he played in and with 3 RBI. He did not have any extra base hits over the whole road trip and has only had three for the whole month of June, all of which were home runs. Sanchez is hitting in the four hole Monday night and will need to prove he belongs in that spot.

Garrett Cooper, Miami Marlins, 1B/DH

Garrett Cooper has been anything but consistent this season and continues to be a very erratic hitter. Cooper showed flashes of power in the latest roadtrip for the Miami Marlins hitting two home runs, one big one in the game against the White Sox and one in the eighth inning in Seattle which the Marlins lost 3-to-9.

Cooper starts tonight at first base and in the five hole for the Marlins, which could be the ideal spot for him in the lineup, if not further down. Cooper does not belong in the top four spots in the lineup as he is hitting .205 in the three hole, and .139 in the four hole, and while he is hitting .276 in the two hole, he also has struck out 26 times in 76 at-bats in that spot. Cooper strikes out too much to make a huge impact on the lineup, as he strikes out 31.8% of the time.

It's hard to find a spot for him as you can't have someone with only 8 home runs and 27 RBI who strikes out that much in the middle of the lineup. He needs to step up and show he belongs in the five hole, .429 BA to date but only 7 at-bats, and drive in runs, if he's going to help lead the Marlins to victory over the Blue Jays this series.

The Fanbase is the biggest key to the series!

The Miami Marlins fanbase is the biggest key to this series however, as the players need to feel the love and get a boost from cheering fans in south Florida. South Florida sports fans have had a fun last few months and they need to switch sports now to be big Marlins supporters, as they are in the thick of the playoff hunt sitting at 41-31 and in sole possession of the top wild card spot.

The average attendance this season for loanDepot park has been pathetic, and perhaps some of it can be blamed on the Florida Panthers and Miami Heats' big seasons, but for a playoff team, they should not be ranked 2nd from last place in baseball.

The Marlins are averaging 11,586 fans in attendance at games this season with a total of 393,329, which is a mere 25,000 more fans than the pathetic Oakland A's. The Marlins need fans to come out all series long and enjoy the ballpark and the play of a team on the brink of making big moves at the trade deadline. With stars like Luis Arraez, Jazz Chisholm (IL currently), Eury Perez, and Jorge Soler, it should be easy for fans to come out and enjoy some big league ball.