Florida Marlins Peaking at the Right Time

After the Phillies swept the Marlins to start the post-All-Star break, the Marlins' playoff hopes were unrealistic. 

The Marlins couldn't hit the ball, and the back end of the starting rotation was horrible so who can blame anyone for not taking the Marlins seriously as a legitimate playoff contender especially with them going out of the West Coast after being swept by the Phillies.

Since that sweep at South Florida last month, the Marlins grew up to be a better team by playing better baseball that has resulted to several series victories.

The Marlins showed the Phillies how improved they are since that weekend at Land Shark Stadium by sweeping the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park yesterday afternoon.

This sweep was much needed for couple of reasons.

For one thing, the Nationals swept the Marlins this past week so the Marlins needed to respond with that setback by getting a sweep of their own in the weekend.

Second of all, the Marlins earned the respect of the Phillies with the sweep, and now the Phillies need to start taking the Marlins seriously as a challenger in the NL East.

It's amazing how the Marlins leaped from a team waiting for next year to a team contending for the Wild Card and the NL East.

That's what winning series after series and playing better baseball can do to a team.

Many factors played a role in the Marlins' success. 

The improvement of the Marlins stems from everyone hitting the ball much better especially when it comes to situational hitting. It's no coincidence the Marlins started winning when they were driving in runs with men in scoring position.

It's not just Hanley Ramirez hitting the ball anymore.

It's hitters like Chris Coghlan, Dan Uggla, Cody Ross and Emilio Bonifacio hitting the ball with consistency in the last few weeks, and newly acquired Nick Johnson made his transition to the Marlins seamless by contributing with his bat.

The Marlins starters dole out quality starts when they are on the mound with Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco winning when they are on the mound, and Rick VandenHurk pitching well prior to his bad start against the Nationals.

Sean West pitched well on Saturday night, and if he can do what VandenHurk has done since being called up, the Marlins' hopes of making the playoffs gets better.

The Marlins bullpen have turned their weakness into their strength with Reynel Pinto, Brendan Donnelly, Kiko Calero, Dan Meyer and Leo Nunez establishing themselves as reliable relievers that can protect the lead or keep the game close for the Marlins to come back.

What stands out about the Marlins is their ability to know how to win ballgames. They are never out of it when they are behind, and one gets the sense the Marlins have a comeback in them when they are in that position.

Winning teams have that a degree of confidence of winning a game everyday, and that's what the Marlins demonstrated lately.

It's always good to get off to a good start, but what matters more when a team hits their stride by playing well in August and September, and it looks like the Marlins are doing this at the right time.

This team is starting to resemble like the 2003 Marlins team, who got hot at the right time by playing great baseball from August to October.

This version of the Marlins and the 2003 Marlins had great pitching and timely hitting.

There is something special brewing with this ballclub, and they will have a chance to make a dent in the Wild-Card standings when they play several contenders that are in the Wild-Card race in the next few weeks.

If the Marlins can keep winning these games in the next few weeks, it will be realistic to start thinking playoffs.