Marlins' Pitchers Can't Catch a Break

The Florida Marlins, after opening the season 11-1, are on a six game skid after consecutive sweeps on a road trip to Pennsylvania.  The Pirates and the Phillies outscored the Marlins 41-15 over the two series.

A 32-run advantage in scoring has all but disappeared with the Marlins now only holding a three-run advantage over their opponents.

The Marlins pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.03 with no shutouts.  However, this is deceptively good as the Marlins over the last week have a combined ERA of 5.71. Of the starters, Ricky Nolasco (1-2, 6.86) has probably been hit the hardest, giving up 16 runs on 29 hits, including 11 doubles and two home runs in four appearances this year.

Nolasco was 15-8 with a 3.52 ERA last year.

While the Marlins' run scoring has dropped off by a couple of runs, it seems their pitching has collapsed during the run, particularly their bullpen.  

In the first game against the Phillies, Josh Johnson had a quality performance wasted as the Marlins bullpen gave up seven ninth-inning runs to lose 7-3.

In the second game against the Phillies the Marlins starter gave them another chance to win, but the bullpen again could not hang-on and the Marlins lost in extra innings.

In the most recent game, a 13-2 blow out, Graham Taylor (0-1) in his major league debut walked six batters and allowed four runs on four hits.  Taylor was just called up from AA Jacksonville.  The bullpen gave up another nine runs in the affair.

The Marlins starters have gives up 46 runs on the young season, while their relievers have given up 26.

Logan Kensing and Leo Nunez have easily been the worst out of the bullpen for the Marlins while the other relievers have performed ably.

The Marlins sent down Kensing who was 0-1 with a 9.82 ERA in six appearances with Florida.

With their impressive 11-1 start, the Marlins are still in first place by a game and a half, but they need to get their pitchers under control if they want to stay in first place. Florida will be glad to leave Pennsylvania, but the road trip continues as the Marlins go to New York to face the Mets and then to Chicago to face the Cubs.

Anibel Sanches, Nolasco, and Johnson are the probable pitchers in the three-game series against the Mets.  We will see if the Marlins can start to turn things around.