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Porkins: I stole Menn's rake said 05/20, 01:49 PM
The Marlins pitching may be suspect, but their hitting is very much for real. It's not that surprising that they're off to a good start- this team generates a lot of runs and should be able to compete in the NL East deep into the season.

Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla are one of the best offensive middle infields in the game. Hermida is a budding star, and Willingham has hit very well when healthy.

The Marlins aren't so surprising- their pitching is mediocre, their hitting has been good, and they're staying competitive. Their bullpen has been strong, and they have a potential star in Andrew Miller.

They've been good enough that they can afford to leave Dallas McPherson in Triple A, where he's hitting the crap out of everything.

I'm surprised by the Oakland As. They don't have one guy in that lineup who can be considered a proven offensive threat- the closest they come is newly acquired Frank Thomas.

And the rotation? I doubt most people could even tell you who's starting on a given night. Yet somehow they've been able to compile the second-best ERA in the majors.

It's amazing what Billy Beane is able to do in the regular season.

Porkins: I stole Menn's rake said 05/20, 02:19 PM
Well, maybe some of the no-names currently filling Oakland's lineup can channel the talent of the dear, departed Jason Giambi and help generate some runs.

Go look at Oakland's roster. Seriously. I follow the game closely and play fantasy baseball and read columns, etc etc. But even I have to say

"who the hell are these guys?"

when I look at that team.

And their pitching? Harden is injured every five minutes, Duchscherer was most recently a set-up man, Dana Eveland has less than half a season's worth of innings experience in 3+ years, and Greg Smith is rookie who you wouldn't know from a hole in the wall.

If I had come to you back in March and these guys are all going to be sporting ERAs under 4 and leading the As to the top of the AL West, I would have been put in a straightjacket. In fact, the As were in 1st place until a recent 2-game skid. Weird.


I think most fans acknowledge that the Marlins have some real bright spots. Their pitching hasn't had to be great- just good enough to keep them close.