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Marlins succeed with old-school approach

By Tom Candiotti

Special to ESPN Insider

Friday, August 8

Updated: August 8

2:31 PM ET

 

 

Heading into this season, the Florida Marlins made a deliberate decision to build their team on the foundation of overpowering starting pitching -- and this was before Dontrelle Willis had made his major-league debut. With Brad Penny, A.J. Burnett, Carl Pavano and Josh Beckett, the Marlins had an abundance of talented young arms.

 

I like the idea of putting pressure on the defense: stealing bases, using the hit and run and wreaking havoc on opposing pitchers.

To complement this stellar staff, the Marlins took a page from the past. The organization decided to go against the prevailing baseball winds and play small ball rather than rely on the long ball. With center fielder Juan Pierre and second baseman Luis Castillo at the top of the order, the Marlins aimed to get on base, use speed to put pressure on the opposing pitcher and the defense, and thus get in scoring position for Mike Lowell and Derrek Lee. Generate a few runs and make them stand up.

 

The Marlins lead the majors with 123 stolen bases, keyed by Pierre (53, which also leads the majors). It seems that every time he and his teammates get on base, they're running. They're always trying to make something happen.

 

Of course, this is in stark contrast to the way baseball is generally played today. The stolen base has become a lost art, and small ball is forgotten for the most part. Instead, teams look for the home run. That's what fans want to see, right?

 

I'm not so sure. True, home runs are impressive, but the Marlins' style of play is exciting. I like the idea of putting pressure on the defense -- stealing bases, using the hit and run and generally wreaking havoc on opposing pitchers.

 

The Marlins' approach hearkens back to a previous baseball generation. Former manager Jeff Torborg was a catcher with the Dodgers of the 1960s -- a team that featured Maury Wills getting on base, stealing second, scoring on a Tommy Davis hit ... and winning 1-0 on a Sandy Koufax or Don Drysdale shutout!

 

The idea is that when you have good pitching, you're in every game -- you're never out of it. Rarely will you lose a blowout, and you learn how to win close games by manufacturing runs.

 

This was the correct approach for the Marlins, because they don't have excessive firepower. Their lineup doesn't hit tons of home runs (117, ranking ninth in the NL). And if you can't score that way, the best way to win is with pitching and defense.

 

Torborg saw that Florida's strength was the pitching staff, so he shaped his philosophy accordingly. Unfortunately for the Marlins, the staff suffered some significant injuries. Burnett and Beckett both have spent time on the disabled list. But these injuries gave Dontrelle Willis the opportunity to be called up from Double-A, and he's been sensational (11-2, 2.56 ERA).

 

When the Marlins struggled early under Torborg, he was fired and replaced by Jack McKeon. But the small-ball approach remained. And now, led by McKeon and Willis, Florida is in the thick of the wild-card race. The Marlins are just one game behind the Phillies, and the acquisition of reliever Ugueth Urbina strengthens their bullpen (0.77 ERA in 10 games with Florida).

 

The Phillies have struggled to finish games lately -- closer Jose Mesa has 21 saves but a 5.91 ERA. The Phillies have a more potent lineup than Florida, but often in a pennant or wild-card race the bottom line is starting pitching followed by the ability to close games out. So watch out for the Marlins down the stretch.

 

 

ESPN baseball analyst Tom Candiotti won 151 games with a 3.73 ERA in 16 major-league seasons. He contributes regularly to ESPN.com.

The Phillies have a more potent lineup than Florida

Not statistically... :shifty

Not statistically... :shifty

But they do either way.

They didnt exactly "decide" to play small ball. The fact that homerun hitters are more expensive decided for them. Once the fan support increases to a level large enough to increase payroll, small ball will not be sought after again. HR's > SB's

the point is that we've made the best of our situation. We knew we couldn't get much power out of our lineup (Lowell's power came as a shock to everyone, including himself). Beinfest/Torborg decided to go another route. Definitely a ballsy move, and it has paid off (with a little luck).

ESPN baseball analyst Tom Candiotti won 151 games with a 3.73 ERA in 16 major-league seasons. He contributes regularly to ESPN.com.

LOL, he just had to gloat, didn't he? :lol

They didnt exactly "decide" to play small ball. The fact that homerun hitters are more expensive decided for them. Once the fan support increases to a level large enough to increase payroll, small ball will not be sought after again. HR's > SB's

I like small bal, I prefer it to the home run caca.

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