They may have started 20 first-year players this season, more than any other Major League team, but don't tell the Marlins that they are a team of rookies.

Even though the young Marlins are far exceeding outsiders' expectations coming into this season, first baseman Mike Jacobs said that the team never doubted itself.

 

"It definitely lights a fire under guys," Jacobs said of outsider opinions. "I know it does for me."

 

One of those unheralded rookies making a name for himself is Ricky Nolasco and the young righty will be taking the mound on Tuesday against Tampa Bay as he looks to pick up his sixth win of the season.

 

He'll face a tough task going up against Devil Rays ace Scott Kazmir, who is tied for second in the American League in wins with nine, and hasn't lost since May 26.

 

If the Marlins' recent form is any indication, though, expect Nolasco to be up to the task.

 

Our starting pitching has been super dominant," Jacobs said. "Hopefully we can keep it going."

 

Pitching matchup

FLA: RHP Ricky Nolasco (5-4, 3.15 ERA)

Nolasco went seven innings in his last start against Baltimore, but picked up his fourth loss of the season.

 

TB: LHP Scott Kazmir(9-4, 3.21 ERA)

Kazmir threw eight strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings and allowed just one run on three hits for his ninth win.

 

 

 

Complete coverage >Player to watch

Aubrey Huff hit .500 in the Devil Rays' first series against the Marlins earlier this season with four hits and one home run.

 

On the Internet

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio

? Gameday

? Official game notes

 

On television

? FSN

 

On radio

? 560 WQAM, 1140 WQBA (Espa?ol)

 

Up next

? Wednesday: Devil Rays (LHP Casey Fossum, 2-3, 5.25) at Marlins (LHP Scott Olsen, 6-3, 4.60), 7:05 p.m. ET

? Friday: Red Sox (RHP Jason Johnson, 3-8, 5.96) at Marlins (RHP Brian Moehler, 5-6, 6.55), 7:35 p.m. ET

? Saturday: Red Sox (RHP Tim Wakefield, 5-8, 3.86) at Marlins (LHP Dontrelle Willis, 4-7. 4.05), 6:05 p.m. ET

 

 

 

Aye, looks like Friday has been deicded and its not Anibal...but let's look at this one. GO FISH BEAT THOSE RAYS!

GO MARLINS!

if there is a ding for each Nolasco K...then i predict 5 dings tonight followed by a ding dong for a win...ie...ding ding ding ding ding ding dong

i thought friday was going to be dontrelle wit moe on saturday and jj on sunday. oh well lol

 

time to redeem ourselves from Kazmir last time out. if we pitch well and stay close we have good chance of winning this.

Go Fish!

 

Hope it doesn't rain today.

:marlins

 

Lets watch as we begin to bury the Walansky Curse

Okay... Kaz's interesting stats:

 

Day: 2.13 Night: 4.08

Home: 2.36 Road: 3.88

Grass: 4.23 Turf: 2.31

 

:mischief2

Okay... Kaz's interesting stats:

 

Day: 2.13 Night: 4.08

Home: 2.36 Road: 3.88

Grass: 4.23 Turf: 2.31

 

:mischief2

 

interesting indeed holly...lets give em hell tonight :hat

Okay... Kaz's interesting stats:

 

Day: 2.13 Night: 4.08

Home: 2.36 Road: 3.88

Grass: 4.23 Turf: 2.31

 

:mischief2

 

So we're facing him where he sucks. Awesome.

 

Oh great. Double for Lugo.

 

There we go. K'd with a curve.

 

:nailbite

 

Foul ball.

Anyone else having problems with mlb.tv?

Ding!

Way to battle back, Ricky!

On first glance, Baldelli's foul ball looked like it was fair, but it was clearly foul on the replay.

Ding count:

 

DING DING

BOB!

 

Amazin' walks.

On first glance, Baldelli's foul ball looked like it was fair, but it was clearly foul on the replay.

 

Yep.

 

Alf is on.

Haha the Ump wanted to call a strike there.

How did Alfredo get on base?

2-2 now to Hanley.

 

Hanley smoked that. Good thing Amezega was on his way to second.

thats alright han ram...come on cabs...get pasta in

1 out, :bases_secondbase

Let's go Cabs...

Close pitch. 3-2 now.

Oh! That was close

2-2*

 

Now its 3-2. :lol