Now's the time for Marlins to make run for first place

The Marlins achieved their biggest win of the season on Sunday afternoon after taking the rubber game of a three-game set against the New York Yankees by defeating them, 6-5, at Land Shark Stadium.

Now, the Marlins need Sunday's victory to propel them on a great run for the next few weeks heading to the All-Star break. The goal for the Marlins is to be in first place by the time the break arrives.

It's a feasible one when the Marlins have to look at what's going on in the division. There is not one team that has distinguished themselves in the NL East.

The Phillies are the defending World Champions, but taking a look at that team, they are plagued with injuries in their starting rotation and in their bullpen. The Mets are having injury issues, as well, and the Braves are an average team, at best.

The division is there for the taking, and the Marlins have to take advantage of it because, sooner or later, the Phillies and the Mets are going to bounce back.

They need to win series after series in the next few weeks, and looking at their schedule, there is no reason to think they can't do it.

Marlins are facing the Orioles, Rays, Nationals, Pirates, Giants and the Diamondbacks to finish the first half of the year. Those games are winnable, and there is reason to believe the Marlins can win at least 5 out of 6 series at best.

It's time for the starters to follow the lead of Josh Johnson, which is giving out quality starts when they are called upon every fifth day. Ricky Nolasco is starting to get back on track, and Sean West has showed he can win games. Chris Volstad has start to showing consistency every fifth day.

The bullpen has been up-and-down so far, and that has to change. Matt Lindstrom has been good at closing out, but the bridge to Lindstrom has been an issue.

Who knows what the Marlins can expect out of Leo Nunez, Dan Meyer? They have the stuff to get guys out, but more often than not, they make it an adventure. It would be nice if there was some consistency out of those guys.

The hitters have proved they can hit, but they go through a stretch when they get cold too often by leaving men on base or taking at-bats that are not smart. They need to score more than three runs per game more frequently.

It's time for this team to stop using youth as an excuse for mediocrity. These guys have played together for a couple of years now. At some point, it's time to grow up and start taking the next step of being a playoff team.

The Marlins have had ups and downs, but the remarkable thing is they are three games out, and the division is there for the taking.

Anything short of first place by the All-Star break will be disappointing.