3 players the Miami marlins need to get hot this month

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The Miami Marlins have a tough schedule this month and they need their best players performing well. The Marlins added Josh Bell and Jake Burger at the deadline to bolster their lineup and they have done just that so far. The rest of the roster needs to get back to their usual production to support the new additions.

Josh Bell is really having a big impact as the consistent 3 hole bat. The Marlins really needed a big bat in the heart of the lineup to help them drive in runners and drive opposing pitchers crazy. He has done that so far with a 5-for-12 start in his first 3 games, with a double, home run, and 3 RBI.

Jake Burger has also boosted the lineup in the six spot and helped put players in the best fit spot in the lineup. Burger is 2-for-12 in his first 3 games and has one run scored with 2 walks. Burgers biggest impact has been letting other players hit in their best fit spot in the lineup, taking pressure off of Berti, Wendle, Fortes, and Gurriel.

That might not seem a lot as he has not produced as much as Bell but there is still time to showcase his talents. Other players on the roster before the deadline need to step up and here we look 3 players that need to do just that to get through the tough August schedule facing the Rangers, Reds, Yankees, Astros, Dodgers, and Padres.

Bryan De La Cruz - OF - Marlins

Bryan De La Cruz might be the biggest beneficiary of the trade deadline when it comes to the lineup. He was forced into a cleanup or 3 hole spot prior and now he can hit more comfortably in the 5 hole. De La Cruz will see better pitches and will likely come up with runners on base more often and he needs to start to contribute in a big way. De La Cruz has the potential to be a huge impact player for the Marlins and can dictate their success in August and beyond.

De La Cruz had a huge power streak in July with 5 home runs and 14 RBI. He needs to continue that kind of production this month but even more so he needs to have a better average. De La Cruz in the 5 spot in the lineup will come up with runners on and needs to hit better than his .238 clip since the start of July and needs to make more contact than his 25% strikeout rate.

While he did provide the bigger power numbers in July, he needs to up his RBI total from 14 if given the amount of opportunities I believe he will have this month. De La Cruz could be the biggest asset the Marlins have this month and based on his production, the Marlins could win in bunches. If he slumps this month, its going to be a long month for certain.

Jazz Chisholm, Jr. - OF - Marlins

Jazz Chisholm is back and Marlins fans couldn't be happier to see him healthy again. Chisholm has had a season full of stops and starts due to injuries and it's easy to see how much better the team is with him in the lineup. Chisholm is the cleanup hitter, speed threat on the bases, and team leader when he is in the clubhouse, the Marlins need him. The Marlins did well when he was not on the team for a few months but they also had a much easier schedule and their pitching staff was making big strides, especially with Rookie sensation Eury Perez.

Jazz currently is slashing .249/.305/.459 with an OPS at .763 and his production has been substantial. He has hit 10 home runs, drove in 23, has 15 stolen bases, 6 doubles, and all in only 198 plate appearances. As a comparison, De La Cruz has 439 plate appearances, which goes to show how big of an impact Jazz can have while healthy. DLC has a 3.4% home run rate compared to Jazz' 5.1% and Soler's 5.8%. Jazz can be a big time threat right up there with the best.

Since Jazz returned on July 31 he has hit .286 with 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 2 doubles, while swiping one bag. Jazz can be a big spark to the team in the cleanup spot if he can continue that level of production over the next month against some of the toughest pitching staff's in the MLB. Jazz becoming healthy again and his production can be the biggest impact of the trade deadline, if he can stay in the lineup and help complete the middle of the lineup threat that the Marlins have in place. We need you Jazz so keep crushing the ball and take care of your health.

Braxton Garrett - SP - Marlins

Braxton Garrett has been one of the pleasant surprises for the Marlins rotation this season and will be a big factor in winning several series this month. On today (his birthday) he turns 26 and needs to turn the tide of his past month of starts which have been rough. Garrett had been a very consistent and solid starter for much of the season so far so he needs to shake off the past month and continue dominating like he has showed fans he knows how to this season.

Brax is 1-1 since the start of July and has compiled a 5.83 ERA over 29.1 innings in that time frame, across 6 starts. This is light years away from his ERA other months and has brought his season ERA up to 4.14 over that time frame. Brax is a lot better pitcher than that, and the long season wear could be a major factor in his current production, as he is at 111 innings, and his highest prior season in the big leagues was 88 innings.

Braxton Garrett has the stuff to make a big impact and his stats prove it, as he has a higher strikeout rate and lower walk rate this season than prior, but he has given up the long ball more which is why he is at such a high ERA. If Brax can get back to form he will be a real asset. Brax was on fire from May 8th through June 28th, compiling a 2.44 ERA during that stretch, a 3-1 record, and 70 strikeouts across 10 starts and 55.1 innings. He doesn't need to be that elite to have an impact this month, but if he can hover around 3.25-3.50 ERA, he will put the Marlins in a position to win with their new look offense. Lets hope we can see not only Brax but all 3 Marlins players step up this month and produce a winning month against very good teams.

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Bryan De La Cruz - OF - Marlins

Jazz Chisholm, Jr. - OF - Marlins

Braxton Garrett - SP - Marlins

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