Our bats will be fine.

Even though it was only ST, we had the worst batting totals in the Grapefruit League. Probably why there's cause for concern.

Our bats will be fine.

Even though it was only ST, we had the worst batting totals in the Grapefruit League. Probably why there's cause for concern.

 

Yeah, I can see the reason for concern. But the thing about baseball stats is every season is such a large sample. It's the same with FG% in Basketball, it usually stays around the same year in and year out, for most players. If our bats stay the same, barring injury, our offense will be fine.

 

Pitching is the significant variable. We need outstanding pitching, since our offense is not in the outstanding stratosphere.

It's pretty obvious to me: Olsen and Anibal holding up the entire season. (along with DTrain obviously)

 

If that happens, we're going to have 3 pitchers who will have 18+ wins, and that keeps anybody in the post-season race. I just have such loads and loads of confidence and optimism toards Olsen and Anibal's talent and potential.. I get the same feeling towards their ability as I did for Cabs... and thats saying a lot, at least in the way I feel.

1. All the sophomores perform just as well or better.

2. Hermida lives up to expectations.

3. The bullpen holds up. We don't even need an outstanding performance from our bullpen guys, just decent.

4. The bench produces as it did last year.

Hey, my first post. Go easy on me guys... :whistle

 

I think you guys have already hit most of the keys the Fish need to contend. Sophomores don't slump, Anibal comes through, Hermida lives up to expectations, bullpen improves, and so on and so forth.

 

I personally think a big factor will be none other than Mike Jacobs. Having him improve and get those power numbers up there will give us just the big bat we need in the middle of that lineup to go along with Cabs, so teams won't be able to pitch around Miggy all year. As for his glove, I think we just kinda gotta pray that as few balls are hit to him as possible...

 

And I think the wild card has a good chance to come out of the East. The central could be the worst division in baseball (Cards won it last year with 83 (!?) wins, and some people have the Brewers winning it...the Brewers!), and the west isn't much better aside from LA, who would really be lucky to get above 93 wins. As has been said, if the Marlins take everything one game at a time (whoever said the "win two out of three games" mentality hit the nail right on the head) and keep their heads on straight, there's a chance we pull out a second place finish and maybe get that wild card a third time. Now excuse me while I go knock on wood until my knuckles bleed...