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

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.