So you’re sitting at home reading your newspaper and you discover that the Florida Marlins are atop the NL East.
They currently hold a record of 13-8. This will not last—they don't have the ability to do it.
Their entire starting lineup basically consists of rookies with the lone exception of Luis Gonzalez. And Gonzo isn't even playing his normal position. He's playing right field—a position he has never played, not once in his entire 18-year career.
The Marlins are just not that good. Their success is due in part to the likes of Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, but most importantly, it is due to sheer luck and lack of opposing talent.
However, the Marlins' downfall will be their pitching.
The Marlins No. 1 pitcher is Mark Hendrickson. You may ask yourself, "Who is this guy?" I could not agree more with your doubt.
Hendrickson is a 34-year-old journeyman who has played for six different teams in the last six seasons. His career ERA is 4.97. He has a career 47-56 record.
This is the guy you’re relying on to break you out of a losing streak? To win you that important game?
He's a joke.
Now onto the No. 2 starter Scott Olsen. He's in his third full year, and he's already considered the "ace" (I use the term very loosely).
In his previous two years he had ERAs of 4.04 and 5.81. Last year he went 10-15, and the year before 12-10. These stats are nothing but ugly.
Most of the Marlins pitchers are rookies—they will burn out from overuse before the season even comes to a close.
I guarantee that before the All-Star break the Marlins will be sitting at the cellar of the NL East, and possibly the National League
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5 months ago
This article was written by a Mets fan. That's all you need to know. Just another bitter, arrogant New Yorker. Typical.
I really enjoyed the Mets' collapse last year.
from 5 months ago
and this coment was written by a Marlins fan how did they do last year?
5 months ago
"Their entire starting lineup basically consists of rookies with the lone exception of Luis Gonzalez. And Gonzo isn't even playing his normal position. He's playing right field—a position he has never played, not once in his entire 18-year career."
This is factually incorrect on several counts. First, Luis Gonzalez is not a regular in the lineup - Jeremy Hermida, highly regarded as one of the more talented RF in baseball, starts. Furthermore, there is only one "rookie" in the Marlins' lineup (Mike Rabelo), and he platoons with Matt Treanor. The majority of the hitters have at least 2 seasons under their belt.
"Their success is due in part to the likes of Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, but most importantly, it is due to sheer luck and lack of opposing talent."
Another passage that is untrue. Dan Uggla has struggled this year - in fact, he was hitting under the Mendoza line until this week. While Hanley Ramirez's skill is unquestioned and is clearly among the five most talented position players in baseball, just as much credit for the success is given to Mike Jacobs, Josh Willingham, Jeremy Hermida, and the bullpen. If there's such a thing as hitting a lucky home run (especially playing half of your games in one of the biggest pitcher's parks in baseball), then I guess lady luck is all over the Fish. Ramirez and Jacobs are tied for 3rd in the NL in homers with 7 a piece (Hanley's coming from the leadoff spot), while Willingham isn't far behind with 5 going into tonight's game. You can also find those three in the top twenty in OPS (Hanley at 10, Hammer at 18, Jacobs at 20) in the entire NL.
"Hendrickson is a 34-year-old journeyman who has played for six different teams in the last six seasons. His career ERA is 4.97. He has a career 47-56 record."
Who had eye surgery over the offseason because he hasn't been able to see properly his entire life. Now, with 20-20 vision, he's actually pitching well. Who would have thought?
"Now onto the No. 2 starter Scott Olsen. He's in his third full year, and he's already considered the "ace" (I use the term very loosely).
In his previous two years he had ERAs of 4.04 and 5.81. Last year he went 10-15, and the year before 12-10. These stats are nothing but ugly."
I guess the poster has never studied baseball history, because the majority of starters begin to perform to their talents around their third or fourth seasons in baseball. I also laugh at the thought of a 4.04 ERA and a 12-10 record as a rookie on a team that was under .500 being nothing but ugly. Is everyone supposed to be a Hall of Famer?
"Most of the Marlins pitchers are rookies—they will burn out from overuse before the season even comes to a close."
Again, untrue. Outside of Andrew Miller and Burke Badenhop, who on the pitching staff is a rookie? Gregg, J. Miller, Hendrickson, Olsen, Nolasco, Waechter, Pinto, Gardner, Tankersley, Lindstrom, and Kensing have all spent at least one full year in the majors if not more.
"However, the Marlins' downfall will be their pitching."
Starting pitching, sure. For now. The bullpen, however, is regarded as one of the best in baseball and the starting staff is currently dealing without three of their main cogs (Sergio Mitre, Anibal Sanchez, and Josh Johnson - names ordered based on expected date of return). So if they're in first place with a 13-8 record and they're no where close to being healthy, what do you expect they'll do when they actually can field a full team?
"I guarantee that before the All-Star break the Marlins will be sitting at the cellar of the NL East, and possibly the National League"
Bold words to end an article devoid of facts and rational thought.
from 5 months ago
i have been proved wrong and i thank u for the criticism. we will just see how long this bold prediction holds out
5 months ago
Hahaha is this a joke? This guy should be fired for such poor journalism.
5 months ago
Matt, as a fellow Met fan as you know, this was a good article. Yet, it is only the first month of the season and still have over 140 games to go.
from 5 months ago
That is why it's called a prediction
5 months ago
Dacher, your article sucks
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