Florida Looks Lethargic Against Atlanta, on Verge of Slumbering Through Playoffs

Last night, it was pouring all over Land Shark Stadium to the point the Marlins-Braves game was delayed for three hours after the start time.

The game took place at 10 o'clock.

Looking at how the Marlins played in last night's game, they were better off forfeiting the game than showing up once it was time to play ball.

They looked flat for all nine innings in a frustrating 4-3 loss to the Braves.

There is no question the Marlins lost all of their rhythm and mojo from waiting for three hours, but the Braves dealt with the same circumstances.

Part of being a professional is being ready to play at a moment's notice, and that was not the case with the Marlins.

The Marlins assumed the game would be rained out with the field being a mess.

It's easy to think that way since the Marlins dealt with the same situation when the Phillies came to town in the middle of July. Josh Johnson started that game with a 2-0 lead, yet as soon as the rain poured in, the game was immediately postponed.

Still, no one can assume anything—especially this month—when teams try desperately to avoid playing doubleheaders.

It was easy to tell that these are not the Marlins we are used to seeing.

They did not run hard when they were grounding out and they did not know how to position themselves in catching the ball.

Also, their at-bats were horrible. These guys hacked at most of Tim Hudson's pitches that looked like they were out of the strike zone.

It looked like they were rushing to go home and make it to bedtime and their play exemplified that.

This is unacceptable for a team that needs victories to stay alive in the wild card race. How can a team go out there and not play with a sense of urgency?

This is on the players and the coaching staff.

Does anyone think the Phillies, Angels, Yankees, Red Sox, or any other great team would come out flat in September, especially in a rain delay?

Didn't think so. This only takes place with a young team, and the Marlins are showing their youth with this type of approach.

To the Marlins' credit, they managed to make it interesting late in the game, but it shouldn't take until the ninth inning for that to happen.

It's surprising to see how the Marlins are blowing this by either playing badly or not showing up for games.

Hard to believe this was happening few weeks ago.

This is a game the Marlins needed to respond after a tough loss Monday night, with Johnson desperately holding on to a 1-0 lead until Atlanta unloaded off him in the seventh inning.

Instead, the Marlins played to lose after what took place Monday night.

One can't help but think the Marlins are a tired team that should get away from the field and find something that can divert attention from baseball.

Whatever magic that was left for the Marlins is gone and last night may have been the end of the team's playoff hopes.