The Miami Marlins are ready to make another run at the playoffs in at least one category according to fangraphs. The Marlins 2024 Fangraphs starting rotation ranking sits at number four behind the Phillies, Dodgers, and Braves. Marlins fans know we have an amazing strength in starting pitching which was part of the reason they made the playoffs last year but are they still that strong without Sandy Alcantara?
Marlins Pitching rotation is among the league's best
Jesus Luzardo
The most talked about starter and the one other teams are drooling over for trade proposals is Jesus Luzardo, and for good reason. Luzardo is a powerful lefty with a 96+ mph fastball and a nasty slider, and a solid change up. He was especially potent in the first half of the season last year posting a 3.29 ERA in 109 innings. Look for more of the same this year as the Marlins ace, with Sandy on the shelf for the season.
Braxton Garrett
Garrett was a solid young pitcher all season and was consistently in the 3.66 range. He has a good slider, paired with a decent fastball, changeup, and curve. Fangraphs projects he will have a much higher ERA this season at 3.96 but I don’t know if I believe that estimate. He was nasty on the road this past year posting a 2.85 ERA. Even more so he ended the season red hot, with his August and September/October ERA sitting at 3.18 and 2.29 respectively. If he can shake the home field jitters where he held a 4.46 ERA last year he will be sitting close to a 3.00 ERA.
Eury Perez
Speaking of red hot, Eury Perez was on fire last season and looks to build upon his success. Fangraphs really puts down his 2023 season as a fluke with their projection for him in 2024. He is projected to have a 4.08 ERA next year. That’s not terrible but it’s a far cry from his 3.15 ERA this past year. Either way, with these three leading the rotation the Marlins are well on their way to a playoff caliber team led by their pitching.