Is Florida The Place To Look For Contenders?

Besides the beaches, amusement parks, and warm Florida sun, something else is becoming an attraction in the state of Florida— baseball. 

The Tampa Bay Rays and Florida Marlins are making there presence known around the league.

Last Year, these two teams didn't give their fans much to cheer about, finishing dead last in their divisions. The Marlins 20 games under .500, and the Rays went 30 under. 

But this year, both are rolling. 

The Rays have won four in a row and are only a game and a half back from the Red Sox with their 21-16 record. 

The Marlins are leading the N.L. East and are three games up on the Mets with a record of 23-14, and by the way, they have won seven in a row.

When the Marlins traded their biggest offensive threat in Miquel Cabrera and ace Dontrell Willis, many thought this season could be worse than last. But guys like Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla have more than picked up the slack. 

Ramirez is hitting .336 and Uggla .280.  The two have combined for 19 homers and 48 R.B.I.s. Also, Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs is hitting .271 with nine homers. These three have emerged as some of the better offensive threats in the National League. 

On the pitching side of things, the Marlins have two aces that have carried the staff.  Scott Olsen and Mark Hendrickson are a combined 9-2 overall.

Carl Crawford is the spark for the Rays.  He's hitting .290 with 12 stolen bases and thirty runs scored.  BJ Upton is also playing well, hitting about .300. 

The Rays hurt people with great overall team speed. The pitching staff has been great for them as well. Shields is off to a 4-2 start and has had some great outings.  Andy Sonnanstine has pitched well also with a 5-1 record.  With Scott Kazmir coming off the DL, the Rays rotation should be solid.

Over the years, both these teams have struggled to win games and keep fans.  But this year, they are off to great starts. Don't be surprised to see them right in the mix at the end of the year.