Florida Marlins: The Marlins Are Swimming Succesfully in 2011

Don't look now, but the Florida Marlins are sitting nicely atop the National League East.

The Marlins lost the finale of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, but their 15 win total is tied for second-best in the majors.

With a team loaded with young talent, the Marlins have looked strong thus far in the season. After a miserable spring in which team owner Jeffrey Loria publicly criticized his team, the Marlins have given a thrill to the fans of South Beach. Sure the Miami Heat are making noise in the NBA playoffs, but they're not working with the league's sixth-lowest payroll at a whopping $57 million.

So far in the young 2011 season, the small-market clubs have made the most noise. The Indians, Royals, and Reds have all made noise in their respective divisions. All three teams are in the bottom half of the rankings in payroll, but the Marlins currently have the best record of those clubs.

Every season the Marlins flirt with the .500 mark, and they always seem to fall just short of postseason glory. They have done this consistently since winning their last World Series in 2003.

But this year seems different.

Their young pitching staff is anchored by Cy Young candidate Josh Johnson. Johnson, who has a record of 3-0 and an earned run average of 1.06, has wreaked havoc on opposing line ups in 2011. This shouldn't be surprising if you've followed Johnson's career. He has dazzled since he came up with the Florida organization, and his 6'7'' frame makes him the ultimate threat on the rubber.

Chris Volstad and Ricky Nolasco have both been wishy-washy the past couple of seasons, but so far both of them have gotten the job done and have helped relieve some of the stress off of Johnson.

Anibal Sanchez has already thrown a one-hitter this season, and he's gone at least five innings in all but one of his starts.

Mike Stanton is batting .348 in the last week, and the Marlins have looked to rally around him while Hanley Ramirez continues to work on his struggles at the plate. Gaby Sanchez is also playing well. He's got three homers to go along with10 RBI's. Chris Coghlan is looking to bounce back from an injury-shortened 2010 season, and he's been consistent thus far in 2011.

The Marlins are dead-last in the NL East in payroll. Yet, they continue to make noise once again. They are right there with the Phillies who rank second in the league in total pay which nearly triples the Marlins. Yes, I said triples.

Although their attendance is downright insulting, Their average attendance is less than 18,000 fans per game. They've been the laughing stock of the attendance game for a while now. As a mater of fact, watching Marlins highlights when they play at Sun Life Stadium is almost comical because of all the empty seats.

Clearly, they have not let this bother them. It's as if they are playing with something to prove. Flying under the radar has worked so far in 2011, and as soon as Hanley remembers how to swing a bat, it will be nothing but good times ahead for the Marlins.