FanNation

DJTG_2010 said 06/22, 12:35 PM
Right now the Marlins are sitting in second place in the NL East, 1.0 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies with a record of 40-34. And they have a legitimate shot at the division. The Mets are 4.5 games back of the Phillies with a 36-36 record, but they happen to be in free fall while the Braves are 6.0 back with a 36-39 record. The Nationals are out of it. This looks like a two-horse race between the Marlins and Phillies, one the Marlins can definitely win.

Right now, the two teams are 3-3 against each other, with the Phillies taking 2 of 3 in Philly and the Marlins taking 2 of 3 in Miami. The amazing thing about the Marlins is that they have below average starting pitching right now. The ERAs in the rotation range from 3.51 (Scott Olsen) to 6.08 (Burke Badenhop). In between are the ERAs of Mark Hendrickson (5.73), Andrew Miller (4.87), and Ricky Nolasco (4.31). The pitching from here on out can only get better for them. Pitcher Josh Johnson (3.50 career ERA) is making rehab starts and is getting ready to rejoin the rotation. Anibal Sanchez is also working his way back, which will provide a big boost. The Marlins pitching can only get better.

More on the Phils next.

DJTG_2010 said 06/23, 06:06 PM
This Phillies play in one of the toughest stadiums to pitch in. Hence, their pitching gets absolutely smashed. Cole Hamels is a reliable ace at the top of the rotation, but from there (Brett Myers, 3-9, 5.51; Adam Eaton, 2-5, 4.94) the rotation has many weak links there are no sign of strengthening. For the Marlins, the returns of Johnson and Sanchez will bump two of the weaker links out, making the rotation solid.

There is a point about the Phillies bullpen. It is much stronger than it was in the past, but there are, again, weak links that can be exploited. Tom Gordon is 5-4 with a 5.06 ERA. He has lacked consistency in only 26.7 innings pitched.

There doesn't look to be anyone else on the Phillies able to come in and solidify these weak spots as there is with the Marlins.

If I had something to argue, hopefully these would be stronger.

DJTG_2010 said 06/24, 04:35 PM
The "young and inexperienced" excuse can no longer be used for the Marlins. The average age of the team is 28.9 years old, which means that most of the players on the team are in the prime. The youngest players on the team are pitchers Ryan Tucker (21 years old) and Andrew Miller (23 years old). The rest of the team is 24 or older. The Marlins have been young and inexperienced for the last three or four years. Three or four years of experience is enough for a team to be considered to have some experience. I'm selling the young and inexperienced excuse.

I said that Phillies bullpen was stronger than it has been in the past. I classified Gordon as the weak link. I did not say the whole bullpen was weak. But you cannot seriously expect the bullpen to keep this up for three and a half more months. The Phillies play where pitchers go to die and although the bullpen has been strong, they will not be able to keep this up. Lidge has a career 3.13 ERA, Romero has a career 4.14 ERA, Madson has a career 4.03, Durbin has a career 5.39, Condrey has a career 4.72 and Seanez has a career 4.06. Fact is, they're all overachieving and they will not be able to continue for the season.