4 Reasons the Miami Marlins made the MLB Playoffs

The Miami Marlins seem to be a team of destiny.  Despite the challenges, the injuries, and the young core of their team they have made the MLB playoffs for the first time in a full season since 2003!  It really is something to see how much fight this team has and the amount of grit shown on a daily basis.  

The Marlins could have given up many different times this season and said let’s get them next year.  The team instead came together to do what it took day in and day out, month after month, until arriving here, as one of few teams who made it into the playoffs.  What a ride and Marlins faithful who have been watching all season know why this team is special.  

We will look at the factors that really made this team come together for this special season.  Four of the many different reasons the Marlins are now in the MLB playoffs we will explore but these are only some of the reasons.  Even though the reasons might not matter to many who are just happy to be there, hopefully it’s a sign of things to come for the Marlins. 

Reason #4  young talent

There are plenty of superstar young rookies this season and the MLB community has mostly ignored the young phenom rookie Eury Perez.  Perez is not the only young and talented player on the team but he probably was one of the most important ones.  When Sandy was in the doldrums for much of the season Eury stepped up when he was called up and was lights out.   

Perez was one of the top pitchers in the league when he was first called up and his high heat and nasty breaking pitches helped keep him there for his first stint in the big leagues.   Perez baffled batters and led the team.  He wasn’t alone as another young pitcher emerged this season from an unexpected spot.  

Braxton Garrett is another amazing young player that could have a very bright career.  The 26 year old has a heck of a season going 9-7 with a 3.66 ERA this season over 159.2 innings.   Brax was a centerpiece in the rotation most of the season and helped the Marlins get to where they are today. 

Reason #2  deadline deals

The Miami Marlins had a scrappy rag tag crew all season long and it included several newcomers.  As we previously noted, there was a lot of next man up that the Marlins dealt with this season and did so pretty well.  Their roster had a few duds on it and Marlins fans can rattle off their names with ease as they brought nothing to the team this season.  

Kim Ng’s free agent signings of both of these players was a huge misstep, but the Marlins GM admitted the mistake and fixed the problem.  Both Jean Segura and Avisail Garcia were just about useless this season, and Garcia didn’t even really see the field that much.  Kim Ng signed these two at different times to bring some big offense in to Miami and they brought no offense this year.   Thankfully Kim Ng was wheeling and dealing at the deadline and brought so much production to the Marlins.  

Would the Marlins be in the playoffs without Josh Bell and Jake Burger?   I don’t think so and many fans agree.  The Bell and Burger trades were the perfect adds for a team trying to compete and win.  Josh Bell hit 11 home runs, drove in 26, and batted .270 with the Marlins and Jake Burger hit 9 home runs, drove in 28, and hit .303 with the Marlins.  Both were huge wins for the Marlins and for the heart of the lineup, which had no real power hitter.  Now that the Marlins have their power their threat to their opponents is real.  

Segura was replaced with huge production in Burger and Garcia’s lineup spot was filled with Bell’s power.  Now the Marlins did trade away their starting first baseman Garrett Cooper but his production was variable and Bell has been consistent.  The Marlins also acquired David Robertson from the Mets which has been up and down but over the past week he has been lights out.  I would add him to the list of wins at the deadline even if he is not the closer.  

Reason #1  Skip Schumaker

The biggest impact has come from the head of the team Skip Schumaker.  In the end the buck stops with him and he has been a workhorse all season.  Players have noted how well Skip and his team work and prepare them for games, which was echoed recently by a player postgame Saturday.  

Skip is a first time manager and has been forced time and again to make many different decisions with regards to players.  Skip has played with lineups, moved around players, and changed pitching order out of the pen.  All of the different moves seem to have panned out, especially with the tough pitching schedule.  

The biggest credit has to come from Skip’s use of the bullpen.  He has gone from AJ Puk to David Robertson to Tanner Scott at closer.  Scott has the numbers and has been on a mission since taking the role on and that provides Skip with flexibility for Robertson.  Robertson, Nardi, and Scott can make a powerful final three innings team and that could pay dividends going forward into the playoffs.   

One final note on Skip, the players love him and it is every evident.  He seems to have captured the hearts and spirit of all his players and they will go out on a ledge for him.   The team bond Skip has formed with all the players shows how big of a value he is and what he brings to the team that none other can bring.  

Thank you Skip!