October 6, 200322 yr Hello Marlins fans, I don't know much about your team and would like a little cheat sheet to refer to during this series. For starters, how about telling me about Mike Lowell? I heard he got hurt, but did not hear how and what he hurt and whether he will be 100% for this series. I'm not looking for you to disect your team in any great detail; even the basic knowledge of your team would be informative to me since I have not followed the Marlins at all this year. Does anyone know the pitching matchups?
October 6, 200322 yr Lowell is ready to go. He is 100% defensively, but the bat really hasn't been tested. Cabs is looking to be in for the later innings while Lowell starts or vice versa. Beckett vs. Zambrano (Wrigley) Penny vs. Prior (Wrigley) Redman vs. Wood (PPS) Willis vs. Clement (PPS) Beckett vs. Prior/Zambrano This rotation looks to be what it will be.
October 6, 200322 yr I'll go through the starting lineup Juan Pierre (JP) CF: has no arm but played CF pretty good; hit .300 with like 65 steals; Luis Castillo 2B: Had 35 game hit streak last year; hit .315 and stole only 20 bases; stole 49 bases in 2002 Ivan Rodriguez C: Came off slow start to hit .300 with 85 RBI; you know the rest Derrek Lee 1B: Gold glove; hit 31 hrs; strikes out a lot; hit .265 Miguel Cabrera 3B: Came up on June 20 and hit walk off in debut; had like 60 RBI in 80-something games; Juan Encarnacion RF: Great arm; won't walk; hit .270 with 20 hrs; good speed Jeff Conine LF: Came to Florida in September; Alex Gonzalez SS: Hit .260,but like .320 until July; gold glover but is slipping a bit Josh Beckett: May be 9-9 but his ERA is like 2.1 since August Dontrelle: His stats are slipping but he has rebounded recently; looked terrific for 5 innings on Sat Brad Penny: 14 wins; shut down Cubs in July; ERA under 4 Mark Redman: Won't throw faster than 88; had era of around 3.6 Bullpen Ugi Urbina: Closer now after Looper messed up; almost blew it to Giants' 6-7-8 on Sat Braden Looper: had more than 25 saves until he choked on some food; looks to be getting his confidence back Chad Fox: setup man from nowhere; excellent all year except hr to Jim Thome on Hurricane Isabel day Carl Pavano: started in regular season AJ Burnett: had 5 complete game shutouts in 2002; lost for season Spooneybarger: looked good but got hurt Mike Lowell: Was supposed to be back October 1 but didn't heal right away good enough and Cabrera heated up; had career year but slowed down in 2nd half before getting hurt; had cancer scare which forced him out of a few games started the year with Jeff Torborg who stole too many bases I don't miss him!!! Bench Lenny Harris Todd Hollandsworth Brian Banks Mike Mordicae
October 6, 200322 yr Rotation Josh Beckett: great starter, will get you 7-8 IP strong, Fastball up near 95-97 consistently. Good Changeup. Knee-Buckling curve Dontrelle Willis: Fastball has lost velocity but still effective: good slider when working. control problems usually. and of course you know of the decieving windup. ....you guys do the rest im not good at this lol
October 6, 200322 yr Don't get the Cubs fan started on pitchers that can hit cause they'll spend all day bragging about theirs
October 6, 200322 yr Don't get the Cubs fan started on pitchers that can hit cause they'll spend all day bragging about theirs none of the pitchers they have compare to dontrelles 243 or something average. let alone his .1000 post season average
October 6, 200322 yr none of the pitchers they have compare to dontrelles 243 or something average. let alone his .1000 post season average Plus dontrelle can go deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep, not just those little squirmers. Whens the last time a Cubs pitcher threw down a head-first slide for a triple???
October 6, 200322 yr Penny has had like 2 or 3 big hits! In the same game. Derrek Lee 1B: Gold glove; hit 31 hrs; strikes out a lot; hit .265 He also walks a lot, has a high on-base%, and hit . 270, not . 265. Don't forget that he also stole 21 bases. Juan Encarnacion RF: Great arm; won't walk; hit .270 with 20 hrs; good speed Hit 18 HR's. Josh Beckett: May be 9-9 but his ERA is like 2.1 since August Had an ERA under 3 for the entire season (I believe) and a ton of K's. Mark Redman: Won't throw faster than 88; had era of around 3.6 He also tends to be pretty dominant. Carl Pavano: started in regular season Also won 12 games and led the team in quality starts
October 7, 200322 yr Here's a rundown on the pitchers (starters/bullpen) Josh "The Original Phenom" Beckett- The established ace in AJ's absence, has one of the top 5 curvballs in the league and has a consitent mid to upper 90's fastball. Has become alot more effective in the latter part of the year thanks to now very effective use of his changeup. Don't be surprised to have him outduel a Cub pitcher or two (if necessary ) Brad "The Duke" Penny- Big guy, his stuff fits his physical description (he actually had to wait longer than normal for an MRI this year due to being too big for the machine). Nice fastball, not afraid to throw hard early and often. Has a nice curveball as well, not Beckett level but still top notch. He hasn;t established his change like Beckett yet, but when he learns to soon he'll be just as untouchable. He does have a tendency to just throw fastballs when in trouble though, why he needs to establish that change. Mark "Big Red"Redman- The finesse guy in the rotation. Once said that Pudge throws it back to the mound faster then he is throwing it to Pudge. FB tops out at 90 or 91, usually around 88 and 89. His change is his masterpiece pitch however, and when it is on it is as untouchable as the Beckett Hook. Has some follow up pitches, but nothing really outstanding. Is the workhorse of the staff. Dontrelle "Tren D" Willis- Probably the one you have heard the most about. Fastball tops out at 92-93, reaching 94 on some rare ocassions (usually under serious pressure). A nice slider and a hit or miss offspeed. Doesn't really use the curve and the change (it really looks like the same pitch), he's really a two pitch pitcher for now. Is great in the clutch, and as already mentioned is very effective on the hitting side of the plate. Carl Pavano- Went from being the best #5 man in the league to the Marlins' rock in the pen. Has been lights out in the playoffs so far and looks to continue this trend. Was once traded straight up for Pedro Martinez, so he does have talent. Fastball is mid 90's, reliable. Slider is nice and on some nights can really move. Changeup isn't great but it gets the job done. Will continue to shine in the pen I think (Imagine him in the pen next year when AJ comes back ) Chad "The Chad" Fox- You might have heard his name before, he was pitching in the Red Sox crap of a pen earlier this year. He was released, the Marlins picked him up in late July. And he has been amazing since. Fastball is very nice, hitting 96 and 97 constantly and sometimes getting a little extra umph! to 98. His slider is a nice pitch as well, and the two form a 1-2 punch that can be deadly in the setup role. Since the Marlins have no real lefty specialist, he is counted on sometimes to get lefties out (.205 average against lefties). Ugueth "Ugy" Urbina- One of the better closers in the league IMO. Just inherited the closer's role a couple weeks ago when Braden Looper proved to be ineffective. A fan favorite for his passionate style, had a sub-2 ERA in his time in the NL. One of the better changes I've seen as well. Curve-Slider mix is nice. Rubber arm, can pitch more than one inning and on back to back days. Braden Looper- Started off really hot, then tailed off. Seems to be getting his confidence back. This is one guy the fans have a short leash with, not just because of this year either. Has a nice slider, a mid-90's heat. But IMO just doesn't have the go for the kill closer mentality that Ugy has. Michael Tejera- Often called Miguel for obvious but dumb reasons. Has good stuff, a nice curve. But the problem with him is he is very inconsistent, a very streaky guy. You might see him once or twice in the NLCS. If he does well, you'll see him a bit more. But McKeon has a short leash on him. Rick Helling- Playing the role of mopup man in the Marlins pen this postseason. Has been effective in key situations this season down the stretch, similar to many others in the pen. Can pitch well if he can spot his pitches, but if he can't get control he has the threat to get blasted all over the park. JRS saves him a little bit, he is more hit or miss on the road if the control isn't there. I'll add anything else if more pitchers are added to the playoff roster. If people like this breakdown I'll do one for the hitters (though I am a pitcher's guy).
October 7, 200322 yr Here's a rundown on the pitchers (starters/bullpen) Josh "The Original Phenom" Beckett- The established ace in AJ's absence, has one of the top 5 curvballs in the league and has a consitent mid to upper 90's fastball. Has become alot more effective in the latter part of the year thanks to now very effective use of his changeup. Don't be surprised to have him outduel a Cub pitcher or two (if necessary ) Brad "The Duke" Penny- Big guy, his stuff fits his physical description (he actually had to wait longer than normal for an MRI this year due to being too big for the machine). Nice fastball, not afraid to throw hard early and often. Has a nice curveball as well, not Beckett level but still top notch. He hasn;t established his change like Beckett yet, but when he learns to soon he'll be just as untouchable. He does have a tendency to just throw fastballs when in trouble though, why he needs to establish that change. Mark "Big Red"Redman- The finesse guy in the rotation. Once said that Pudge throws it back to the mound faster then he is throwing it to Pudge. FB tops out at 90 or 91, usually around 88 and 89. His change is his masterpiece pitch however, and when it is on it is as untouchable as the Beckett Hook. Has some follow up pitches, but nothing really outstanding. Is the workhorse of the staff. Dontrelle "Tren D" Willis- Probably the one you have heard the most about. Fastball tops out at 92-93, reaching 94 on some rare ocassions (usually under serious pressure). A nice slider and a hit or miss offspeed. Doesn't really use the curve and the change (it really looks like the same pitch), he's really a two pitch pitcher for now. Is great in the clutch, and as already mentioned is very effective on the hitting side of the plate. Carl Pavano- Went from being the best #5 man in the league to the Marlins' rock in the pen. Has been lights out in the playoffs so far and looks to continue this trend. Was once traded straight up for Pedro Martinez, so he does have talent. Fastball is mid 90's, reliable. Slider is nice and on some nights can really move. Changeup isn't great but it gets the job done. Will continue to shine in the pen I think (Imagine him in the pen next year when AJ comes back ) Chad "The Chad" Fox- You might have heard his name before, he was pitching in the Red Sox crap of a pen earlier this year. He was released, the Marlins picked him up in late July. And he has been amazing since. Fastball is very nice, hitting 96 and 97 constantly and sometimes getting a little extra umph! to 98. His slider is a nice pitch as well, and the two form a 1-2 punch that can be deadly in the setup role. Since the Marlins have no real lefty specialist, he is counted on sometimes to get lefties out (.205 average against lefties). Ugueth "Ugy" Urbina- One of the better closers in the league IMO. Just inherited the closer's role a couple weeks ago when Braden Looper proved to be ineffective. A fan favorite for his passionate style, had a sub-2 ERA in his time in the NL. One of the better changes I've seen as well. Curve-Slider mix is nice. Rubber arm, can pitch more than one inning and on back to back days. Braden Looper- Started off really hot, then tailed off. Seems to be getting his confidence back. This is one guy the fans have a short leash with, not just because of this year either. Has a nice slider, a mid-90's heat. But IMO just doesn't have the go for the kill closer mentality that Ugy has. Michael Tejera- Often called Miguel for obvious but dumb reasons. Has good stuff, a nice curve. But the problem with him is he is very inconsistent, a very streaky guy. You might see him once or twice in the NLCS. If he does well, you'll see him a bit more. But McKeon has a short leash on him. Rick Helling- Playing the role of mopup man in the Marlins pen this postseason. Has been effective in key situations this season down the stretch, similar to many others in the pen. Can pitch well if he can spot his pitches, but if he can't get control he has the threat to get blasted all over the park. JRS saves him a little bit, he is more hit or miss on the road if the control isn't there. I agree with alomst all of what you said, there are a few little things I disagree with, but don't feel like reviewing. Would you like to me review the line-up with just as detailed a report?
October 7, 200322 yr One slight change from my previous scouting report. I don't think "The Chad" quite fits, so from now on Fox is Chad "The Yellow Dart" Fox. (Big ups to anyone who recognizes the nickname)
October 7, 200322 yr Mike Hasnt played a whole lot with Cabrera hitting good and very good Fielding. His hand that got injured is still getting tired when he bats so its weak. He needs to regain his strengh back in that hand. I Hope he can start a couple of games in the NLCS. His timing is still good and still needs some work though.
October 7, 200322 yr Here's a rundown of the position players. Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez: 10-time All-Star. 10-time Gold-Glove Winner. 1-Time MVP Winner. The biggest clutch player, offensively and defensively, on the team. Doesn't have as much pop as he used to with only 16 reg. season HR's, but still has that pretty batting average. Hit 85 RBI as well, virtually all of them when they were needed most. Truely a professional hitter, can hit any pitch to any field in any count. Also has some speed, a situational base stealer. Derrek "D-Lee" Lee: The man formerly known as "Mr. Anti-Clutch." Hit 30 home runs for the first time in his career this season (31), although he has even more power than that would indicate. An inconsistant hitter. Sometimes takes too many pitches for his own good, which usually leads to more K's than walks (K'ed 131 times, but had an OB% of . 379, second on the team). Had a career high 92 RBI, due to a burning hot September that helped propel the Lowell-less Marlins into the post-season (hence the "the man formerly known as"). Plays better defense at 1B than anyone in baseball, and will probably win his first gold-glove this season. Also had 21 stolen bases. Probably has more tools than any 1B in the game. Luis "Luiy" Castillo: 2-time All-Star. 2-time Stolen Base Champ. Always puts the bat on the ball. One of, if not the most consistant hitter on the team. Has decent power from the right side of the plate, but none from the left (switch-hitter). Hits . 300 every season, almost never K's (K'ed only 60 times), and always has a great OB% (. 381 this season, led team). His defense at second base is as good as anyones, and could possibly win his first career gold-glove this season (had 2nd best fielding % and turned more double plays than any other NL 2B). WAS known as the best base-stealer in the game before hip surgery in the off-season limited him to 21 stolen bases and 19 caught stealing this year. Alex "A-Gon" Gonzalez: 1-time All-Star. Hit as well as any SS in the game during the first half of the season, and hit as bad as any SS in the game during the second half. Despite average offensive stats, it may have been his best offensive season yet. Set a career high in HR's (18) and RBI (77). K'ed 106 times and walked just 33. Will always take the first pitch, usually takes the second pitch, which gets him behind in the count almost every at-bat. Hangs with the best of them defensively at SS. A gold-glove candidate, but will probably never win it. Average speed, not a good base stealer, and a lazy base runner. Mike "The Hulk" Lowell: 2-Time All-Star. The most productive offensive player on the team. Will occasionally get into a slump, but consistant for the most part. Hit 30+ HR's for the first time in his career (32) and reached the 100 RBI mark for the second time (105). Doesn't K alot (78) but doesn't walk alot, either (56). As good a defender at the hot corner then anyone. Very smooth. Could have had a chance at the gold-glove if he wasn't injured. Cannon for an arm. One of the slowest players in MLB, but a very intelligent base runner. Miguel "Kid-Clutch" Cabrera: The Marlins most valuable player the second half of the season. As/more productive a 20-year-old as Alex Rodriguez or Gary Sheffield. Could hit . 300 with 20+ HR's and 100+ RBI in a full-season. Just like Pudge, can hit any pitch in any count to any field. As much confidence in his ability than anyone on the field. Had problems with plate-dicipline (84 K's, 25 BB's), but improved draumatically as the season progressed. An above average defender in either LF or 3B, a cannon for an arm at both positions. Has average speed and is an average base runner. Jeff "Mr. Marlin" Conine: 2-time All-Star. An above average, but not excelent offensive player in every category. Very consistant. Hit 20 HR's for the first time in 6 years. Also had 95 RBI with a . 282 average. Doesn't K alot (70) and walks just enough (50). A professional hitter. Showed he definately has defensive skills and still has an arm in LF, but an average defender at 1B. Has just above average speed. Hasn't been thrown out stealing a base in over 2 years. A very smart base runner. Juan "JP" Pierre: 2-time Stolen Base Champ. The most consistant player on the team in any and every way. Hit . 300 and had 200+ hits for the second time in four career ML seasons. Has no power what so ever. A slap and gap hitter. Easily the best bunter in the game today. K'ed once ever 21 at-bats (35 total K's), the best ration in MLB. Also walked 55 times, which gave him a . 361 OB%. Won his second stolen base crown in four career seasons as well, with 65 stolen bases, a team record. A very intelligent base stealer and runner. Has as much of a throwing arm as power in his bat. Has a tendancy to mis judge a lot of balls in CF, but as the speed to make up for it. Great timing when leaping/diving for catches. Juan "Carcy" Encarnacion: Usually consistant, but can get into slumps. Took a step backward power wise, going from 24 HR's in 2002 to 19 in 2003. Took a step forward in driving in runs, setting a career high in RBI with 94. Horrible OB% at . 313 (K'ed 82 times, BB'ed just 37 times). Absolutely crushes breaking balls over the plate. Maybe the most underrated defensive player in the game. Commited ZERO errors in 2003. Not a flashy player, but very smooth. A very strong arm. Great speed, but not a good base stealer (19 SB's). Average base runner.
October 7, 200322 yr Juanpy is the man in our offense. If he can't do it, no one can! (Well, maybe Pudge)
October 7, 200322 yr Author Very imformative information about your team guys. I appreciate all your posts and now know much more than I ever did about your team. I think I'll print out this page and reference it during this series. Thanks for your time Marlins fans.
October 7, 200322 yr Very imformative information about your team guys. I appreciate all your posts and now know much more than I ever did about your team. I think I'll print out this page and reference it during this series. Thanks for your time Marlins fans. No Problem. I actually had fun doing it.
October 7, 200322 yr Carcy? sounds like something JT Snow made in his pants when Pudge de railed him...
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