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 #3  next man up philosophy 

The Miami Marlins dealt with so many injured players this year it was hard to know who was on the team from week to week at some points.  The Marlins players and coaching staff did a great job selecting and implementing replacements throughout the season.  Probably the most impactful and hard to replace was Jazz Chisholm, and Skip did a great job lessening his impact.  

Luis Arraez in particular helped lessen the impact of many hitters throughout the season as he was the most consistent bat the Marlins had.  When Jorge Soler went out it was also a huge hit to the Marlins offense and Sanchez did a great job filling in and showing his pop at times.   

The pitching staff dealt with so many next man up scenarios it is not even funny.  What playoff team went through three different closers in a season?  Now that the Marlins have landed on Tanner Scott it seems like a great fit but he is the ultimate next man up!  

The starters have had so many injuries that AA Eury Perez was called up and it was an amazing show of next man up!  He was lights out for a few months and provided a big spark to the Marlins team and rotation that was up and down.  Perez was the ace when Sandy was going through it.  Berti is another perfect example, would you have said he would be a regular starter watching games in April?  He was a great fit however and is a big factor in the team currently.  

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!