uberschnell

Yes, I know I'm being optimistic here, but the Marlins are hot and they're finally making that run we've talked about all season. Houston had to fly from a devistated town to Milwaukee and play a night game followed by a day game this afternoon. We all know what happened last night. Now, yes, the Astros will have a nice 24 hours between games, but still, as we know well as Marlins fans: When a hurricane hits your house, your mind isn't on your job, rather it is on your family. Oswalt vs Volsted. This game will be our only real trouble imho. Yes, the AStros will have just landed and will be tired, but Oswalt is a quality pitcher. TBA (Rodriguez) vs Nolasco. I feel like the Marlins can win that game, but a lot of variables are still on the table Arias vs Olsen. I have a good feeling here. Arias had a brillient outing in his last appearence, but Olsen is turning up the heat, and the waterworks on his hat. Maybe... We need a sweep, but even if we get 2 out of 3, I think we will be ok. I like your optimism!! I hope you are right. I stand behind you.

Congratulations Marlins infielders way to make history!!!

This was finally a good challenge for Lindstrom. It's nice to see him throw strikes. His fastball had a lot of pop and his slider was bitting well. He had the hitters off balance (made a mistake to Guzman) and luckily Guzman missed it. Zimmerman looked silly on off-speed. When he can throw the off-speed over for strikes, Matt will be dangerous!

I'd like to see what Lindstrom can do on not one 1 run save opportunity...but multiple 1 run save opportunities...or just tough situations. I know Lindstrom can get the job done...I just don't know if he can get it done, on a consistent basis. Do you want this Lindstrom guy to succeed or are you waiting for him to fail so you talk Tucker up? I want the Florida Marlins to succeed; of course, I'm rooting for Matt Lindstrom. As for the "Tucker talk," I just believe Tucker has more potential. Regardless, they both have good stuff, and both have what it takes, if they can gain consistency at the Major League level. The difference is Tucker is seven years younger. With that said...right now, it's Lindstrom's job to win or lose. I'm rooting for him; I hope he dominates (his STUFF could be dominating, if he mixed in some more breaking balls to go along with that 100 mph fastball). Thanks for taking that paragraph with a grain of salt, I wrote it not to offend you. I hope that both of these guys can lock up the back end of the bullpen. You know be the 8th and 9th inning guys. The main thing is is that the marlins win next year and I think our guys will be able to do that. Thanks for the mature response bro.

I'd like to see what Lindstrom can do on not one 1 run save opportunity...but multiple 1 run save opportunities...or just tough situations. I know Lindstrom can get the job done...I just don't know if he can get it done, on a consistent basis. I agree with a lot of what you say Erik, but that's the question for every one thrown into a new role. Let me ask you something and don't take this personal my intentions are not to be rude. Do you want this Lindstrom guy to succeed or are you waiting for him to fail so you talk Tucker up? I know you are excited for this guy (Tucker). He is young and has descent numbers in the minors why shouldn't you be? Okay let's say Lindstrom stuggles (I'm not betting on it though) and somehow Tucker gets thrown into the role and he sucks. What are you going to do then? I say cheer the guy on whoever it is in the role and hope he does well whether it be Lindstrom or Tucker (like you said whoever does it consistently). IMO it will be Lindstrom-the manager and the FO thinks so as well. I meant this as nicely as I could write it.

I think it was a cheap save but as Erik has pointed out, a save is a save. It's too bad they can't give Rhodes a save also. I thought the pen did a great job tonight; even Kevin Gregg. It's nice to see him having success. Lindstrom did a good job tonight against Howard, Burrell, and Victorino. They were up 4 runs so he just pounded the zone-no reason to throw anything off-spead (here is my best pitch see if you can hit it attitude). He got ahead early and it was nice to see him throw a few breaking balls. One to Burrell and the ground out on a split finger change-up. Perhaps he will gradually get comfortable throwing the offspead pitches in non-pressure save situations. Although it appears he hasn't been challenged yet for shutting out ball games, it could prove to be valuable for him to get that confidence in the off-spead stuff. Should he throw it more often? Probably. We are all waiting for the 1 out save opportunity. That, in my opinion, will show us what he is made of. I assume you meant to type "1 run save oppertunity". Yeah, I am just waiting for that. I'm convinced my boy can do it. RAB what would I do without you correcting me all the time. I appreciate that bro. What I meant to say is that we all can't wait for the 1 run 3 out save opportunity to see what he's made of. I too am convinced that he can do it. Meant it in a nice way . Took it in a nice way. No hard feelings bro. I just get excited and ahead of myself. Good win today.

I think it was a cheap save but as Erik has pointed out, a save is a save. It's too bad they can't give Rhodes a save also. I thought the pen did a great job tonight; even Kevin Gregg. It's nice to see him having success. Lindstrom did a good job tonight against Howard, Burrell, and Victorino. They were up 4 runs so he just pounded the zone-no reason to throw anything off-spead (here is my best pitch see if you can hit it attitude). He got ahead early and it was nice to see him throw a few breaking balls. One to Burrell and the ground out on a split finger change-up. Perhaps he will gradually get comfortable throwing the offspead pitches in non-pressure save situations. Although it appears he hasn't been challenged yet for shutting out ball games, it could prove to be valuable for him to get that confidence in the off-spead stuff. Should he throw it more often? Probably. We are all waiting for the 1 out save opportunity. That, in my opinion, will show us what he is made of. I assume you meant to type "1 run save oppertunity". Yeah, I am just waiting for that. I'm convinced my boy can do it. RAB what would I do without you correcting me all the time. I appreciate that bro. What I meant to say is that we all can't wait for the 1 run 3 out save opportunity to see what he's made of. I too am convinced that he can do it.

I think it was a cheap save but as Erik has pointed out, a save is a save. It's too bad they can't give Rhodes a save also. I thought the pen did a great job tonight; even Kevin Gregg. It's nice to see him having success. Lindstrom did a good job tonight against Howard, Burrell, and Victorino. They were up 4 runs so he just pounded the zone-no reason to throw anything off-spead (here is my best pitch see if you can hit it attitude). He got ahead early and it was nice to see him throw a few breaking balls. One to Burrell and the ground out on a split finger change-up. Perhaps he will gradually get comfortable throwing the offspead pitches in non-pressure save situations. Although it appears he hasn't been challenged yet for shutting out ball games, it could prove to be valuable for him to get that confidence in the off-spead stuff. Should he throw it more often? Probably. We are all waiting for the 1 out save opportunity. That, in my opinion, will show us what he is made of.

Gregg and Rhodes did a phenominal job tonight. Gregg stopped the momentum in the 7th and Aurthur Rhodes got the lefties out. Good managing by Fredi tonight although I question bringing in De La Cruz for two innings. However, I am thrilled that we won! Go Marlins! Oh yeah cheap save for Lindstrom but he is 2 for 2 now that's cool.

Still think Ryan tucker is our closer Tucker needs to make the big leagues first. ...and Lindstrom needs to prove he can be consistent first. Very true and this goes for the whole team. One for one and counting and whether there is a 3 run lead or a one run lead a save is a save. You dont think there was a lot of pressure? Think of his last outing when he did terrible and then add the weight of the team wanting to win two in a row-sounds like enough pressure to me.

Still think Ryan tucker is our closer Tucker needs to make the big leagues first.

Lindstrom with his first career save tonight in St.Louis. A 4-1 lead in the 11th...Lindstrom pitched a 1, 2, 3 inning. You seem very ecstatic, Erick. For what it's worth, I do not dislike Matt Lindstrom. I feel like he has great stuff...and doesn't know how to use it sometimes. I'm also willing to see him get a save more than once (especially since this wasn't a difficult "save") before anointing him "the closer." He's done well since coming back from Albuquerque...that's a fact. Super hates Lindstrom. Hey Rab I'm new to the blog stuff. Who is super?

Nice work tonight by the whole team. This team has a lot of heart and when they play together they are really good. That was Lindstrom's first save of his career and I'm sure he will remember it, especially since he had to face the leagues best hitter in Albert. Let's put together a winning streak and let fate take its' course. Lots of games left, and a ton of positives tonight to carry the momentum. Go Marlins!!!

Very good win for the fish today. I hate to see them come up with bases loaded with one out. Last night and this afternoon they (marlins hitters) have gone 0-6 with bases loaded. With hits the games aren't even close! However, I am an optimist and I'm glad they won! GO MARLINS!!!

Good win and good call RAB.

MARLINS 4-3! RAB who would you guess is going to close it out? Honestly, no clue. Since Lindstrom has pitched two nights in a row, I'm thinking Jo-No. Do you just let miller finish it off. He looks pretty good. I wish he would of come into the 9th last night. Oh well, we need this win.

MARLINS 4-3! RAB who would you guess is going to close it out?

Wow, some clutch hitting who would of thought. Keep it going boys pour it on them!!! Wait: maybe not. Once again bases loaded 1 out and we didn't break it open! Sucky!

It would appear that Lindstrom has the pitching ability to be a closer, I don't know if he has the other intangibles to do so. By that I mean the mental apptitude and generally careless approach you often see in closers. As for any of the Marlins relievers recent pitching performances they should register as an anomoly as they've been extremely overworked for the length of the season and its really catching up to all of them. This is a result from the starters struggling and not being able to go deep into games. All of their arms are tired. Hopefully they can finish strong!

Does it really matter who the closer is as long as the Marlins have a productive cohesive bullpen unit. These things have a way of working themselves out through performance. I have the utmost confidence we will be able to field 7 quality RP from Lindstrom, Pinto, Kensing, Tankeresly, Nelson, Waecther, J. Miller, Gardner, Owens, and from probable newcomers to the pen competition with Tucker, Cruz, Vanden Hurk, and Mobley. That is 13 legitimate MLB arms for camp competition right now, let alone if someone like Doolittle, Wood, J. Delgado, H. Garcia, or C. Martinez surprises and improves a bit in the offseason. This leaves an "A" rotation of Nolasco, Johnson, Anibal, Volstad, and A. Miller, and a "B" rotation of Thompson, Sinkbiel, West, Trahern, and G. Taylor in AA/AAA. Plus whatever you get in return from offseason trades and signing more minor league FA like Waecthers and Nelsons. Non Issue. Really. Non Issue. We have plenty of talent at this position for it to work itself out. Well said, I agree with you 100%. It will be exciting to see.

I'm shocked Lindstrom doesnt get more votes here... yes the entire bullpen was weak...but when the 9th came, we were tied and prepared to get another walkoff win in the bottom of the ninth... yet Matt gave up two runs... we had a chance, and it was Lindstrom who blew the final shot... I know we had given up 14 runs before that... but whether it was 14-14. 104-104, 1-1, or 0-0...we had a chance in that inning and it was Matt Lindstrom who blew it... If Scott Olsen gives up 3 innings in a tie game, and Kevin Gregg comes in and blows the 9th...we would all blame Kevin, not Scotty...same concept....thus, Matt Lindstrom gets the blame here The loss was a team effort. It should of never been tied with the bases loaded opportunities we had, we should of won. Hitters should be held accountable for not producing in the clutch also.

The offense is not to blame tonight, its the terrible pitching. Especially the bullpen. Except for Rhodes, Waechter and maybe Nelson I don't trust any of them lately to help close out a game we should have won. Season over. Need to address relief pitching this offseason AGAIN. Sure the offense is to blame. If you have bases loaded twice with one out, you should score some runs off very mediocre pitching. All the pitchers pitched terrible tonight, it comes down to putting people on, coming up with a big hit, and scoring more than the other team regardless of how the pitchers do.

We as fans seem to take the worst from the outing or beat the dead horse with what we already know. The worst from Lindstrom's last outing is that he gave up a couple runs and we lost the game. The beat the dead horse topic is that he throws straight fastballs and needs to mix it up but, has no confidence in his off-speed stuff. I don't know if you noticed this but he threw quite a few breaking balls to Kotchman and the final pitch to strike him out was a split-change. I have a little insight and Baker called for straight fastballs during that inning. Lindstrom tried to shake him off and even had a little meeting with Baker to tell him that these hitters were on the fastball. Baker said that they couldn't hit it and kept calling for it. Finally, when Matt started throwing what he wanted (unfortunately to the last batter) he struck Kotchman out. Tonight wasn't just lost with pitching. We had bases loaded 2 times with only one out and we didn't get anyone in. It was a team effort in the loss tonight.

Yeah we should of put Tucker in there. Oh yeah wait he isn't even with the club. Hitters know what's coming I'm sure everyone on this blog could hit Lindstrom throwing fastballs. No, your at home sitting on the computer so no you couldn't. Everyone got lit up tonight and how many times were bases loaded where we could of put the game away? It would of only took one big hit to bust it open and they didn't come up with it.

I was just checking Matt Lindstrom's gamelog for this year... After he was sent down to Albuquerque and brought back up, he has done this: Record: 2-1 Holds: 9 ERA: 1.53 WHIP: 1.19 K/BB: 18/8 (in 23.2 innings) Not exactly dominant, but he's improved plenty since getting called up, again. The ERA would be lower had Fredi used him correctly in Game 1 at Atlanta the other night, as well. The one thing I dislike is that with his stuff...he should be getting some more K's. Surprisingly though, the better portion of his outs are coming via groundballs, the last 2 months (surprising b/c his ball doesn't really have sink, in it). NOTE: A lot of these #'s are a bit deceiving, as well, b/c Lindstrom had a GREAT month of July (11.1 scoreless innings, in July)...his August was a bit more "average-looking," per say. Hopefully Matt is given a chance at some save opportunites in September...and we get to see some of Tucker in middle relief (for the time being), as well. I agree with you Erik about getting more K's. Like I've said in my previous posts. Matt has no confidence in his off-spead stuff. Mark Wiley engrained it into his mind that he shouldn't get beat on his second best pitches. However, you and I know you have to have something to throw the hitters off. I gaurantee that he will feel more comfortable next year because he has plans on fixing him being one-dimensional. Right now he is probably just going to go with locating the fastball and stay with what's working this year. He has lowered his E.R.A from 5.18 relying on the fastball-I would like to see less hits per inning and more strikeouts. They will come but we probably won't see them this year. Next year will be fun to see his development.