Reason number one - Pitching
The Miami Marlins bullpen has not gotten any better than it has been all season, perhaps it has gotten worse. The Marlins recently dumped Jorge Lopez, as Neil wrote about, who they traded for at the deadline in exchange for Dylan Floro. The Baltimore Orioles signed Lopez off waivers, returning him to his former team.
The other trade deadline acquisition to bolster the bullpen was David Robertson and he has struggled to say the least. Robertson was supposed to be a replacement for struggling closer A.J. Puk, and yet the struggle continued for the Marlins closing games. Robertson has compiled a 7.50 ERA since joining the Marlins, and has blown three saves in seven chances.
The two pieces they had hoped to add depth and strength to the bullpen have brought nothing but struggle. The bullpen the Marlins have currently won’t get it done in the playoffs and bullpen is so important to beat quality teams, so this month will be a struggle.