Ok, I think some of us don't really take a step back and realize just how great this team has it. True, we don't have a ton of payroll this year, but we have had some great things happen.

 

1. Scott Olsen- Last year, dud on the mound, tons of off field stuff. This year, great presence, showing maturity and having great numbers.

2. Gonzo- Signed for much less than what he was seeking, and provided us with a great bat and leadership when one of our top bats went down for a period of time.

3. Hanley & Uggla- Pretty obvious, but what a great year so far!

4. Renyel Pinto- Until he started to get tired, he was putting up career numbers.

5. Helms- Best 3B $1 can buy.

6. Cantu- Who woulda thought he would be putting up the numbers he has after falling off the face of the earth last year.

7. JJ and Sanchez- If they are the pitchers of old when they get back, it's the equivalent of a

CC Sabathia, Rich Harden move. Two fresh arms that could potentially anchor our staff for the run.

8. Nolasco- He, like Olsen, has stepped up and proved his worth thus far.

 

I just needed to put this thought in writing, so if this seems to corny, please be easy on me. This team constantly amazes me. It's so much fun being able to follow a guy from the beginning to being an all star. I don't know if anyone will honestly ever have the opportunity to see this much young talent assembled again. There are easily 5-6 guys on our team that could go on to have all star numbers in a few years.

 

After following a team like this, how could anyone be a fan of a large market team? Throwing millions upon millions at 35 year old mercenaries isn't fun. Fun is seeing a guy develop in front of your eyes. Fun is seeing the under-dogs win. Fun is defying the odds. The Marlins are aggravating, but they are fun.

high five!

high five!

:high5

I actually thought this thread would have something to do with us having a -25 run differential, including some of the worst pitching / fielding statistics in baseball...and still in the race. Seriously, I don't now how long these uneven stats will last, but right now, we're proving all stat geeks wrong.

I actually thought this thread would have something to do with us having a -25 run differential, including some of the worst pitching / fielding statistics in baseball...and still in the race. Seriously, I don't now how long these uneven stats will last, but right now, we're proving all stat geeks wrong.

 

yes,

 

although I don't think as much emphasis needs to be placed on the run differential (as long as it does not stay at -25). Didn't the Rockies or the Dbacks a year or so ago get into and far in the playoffs with a " bad" run differential over the regular season?

 

I'm shocked that with the horrible pen and worst D in the league that we are still over .500

Everytime we(and Tampa Bay) win, a little piece of Rob Parker dies.

I actually thought this thread would have something to do with us having a -25 run differential, including some of the worst pitching / fielding statistics in baseball...and still in the race. Seriously, I don't now how long these uneven stats will last, but right now, we're proving all stat geeks wrong.

 

yes,

 

although I don't think as much emphasis needs to be placed on the run differential (as long as it does not stay at -25). Didn't the Rockies or the Dbacks a year or so ago get into and far in the playoffs with a " bad" run differential over the regular season?

 

I'm shocked that with the horrible pen and worst D in the league that we are still over .500

 

Yeah, the DBacks.

However, I believe they were the 1st team in baseball to make the playoffs with negative run differential. I'm not sure if Rab can correct me on this one, but I think I got the stat right.

 

The weird thing though...is that the DBacks were very good in 1 run games, and had a very good bullpen (good pitching / defense overall). We're actually just a couple of games over .500 in 1 run games, and our bullpen has looked horrid since June, after being overworked the 1st 2 months of the season...

 

Seriously, looking at ALL stats, baseball philosophy, etc., and then you look at our record, it's very odd.

I actually thought this thread would have something to do with us having a -25 run differential, including some of the worst pitching / fielding statistics in baseball...and still in the race. Seriously, I don't now how long these uneven stats will last, but right now, we're proving all stat geeks wrong.

 

yes,

 

although I don't think as much emphasis needs to be placed on the run differential (as long as it does not stay at -25). Didn't the Rockies or the Dbacks a year or so ago get into and far in the playoffs with a " bad" run differential over the regular season?

 

I'm shocked that with the horrible pen and worst D in the league that we are still over .500

 

Yeah, the DBacks.

However, I believe they were the 1st team in baseball to make the playoffs with negative run differential. I'm not sure if Rab can correct me on this one, but I think I got the stat right.

 

The weird thing though...is that the DBacks were very good in 1 run games, and had a very good bullpen (good pitching / defense overall). We're actually just a couple of games over .500 in 1 run games, and our bullpen has looked horrid since June, after being overworked the 1st 2 months of the season...

 

Seriously, looking at ALL stats, baseball philosophy, etc., and then you look at our record, it's very odd.

 

true, true.

 

I get what you mean with the stats

 

but I think the emphasis is on the pitching/defense in order to win.

 

run differential is obviously tied into those stats, however, I think RD gets way too much focus...

 

like you said, being good in one run games is the key... just think of how good our record would be if we had a 'decent' pen/sp staff with all those late (and early) leads we've had in most of our games this year.

I actually thought this thread would have something to do with us having a -25 run differential, including some of the worst pitching / fielding statistics in baseball...and still in the race. Seriously, I don't now how long these uneven stats will last, but right now, we're proving all stat geeks wrong.

 

yes,

 

although I don't think as much emphasis needs to be placed on the run differential (as long as it does not stay at -25). Didn't the Rockies or the Dbacks a year or so ago get into and far in the playoffs with a " bad" run differential over the regular season?

 

I'm shocked that with the horrible pen and worst D in the league that we are still over .500

 

Yeah, the DBacks.

However, I believe they were the 1st team in baseball to make the playoffs with negative run differential. I'm not sure if Rab can correct me on this one, but I think I got the stat right.

 

The weird thing though...is that the DBacks were very good in 1 run games, and had a very good bullpen (good pitching / defense overall). We're actually just a couple of games over .500 in 1 run games, and our bullpen has looked horrid since June, after being overworked the 1st 2 months of the season...

 

Seriously, looking at ALL stats, baseball philosophy, etc., and then you look at our record, it's very odd.

 

true, true.

 

I get what you mean with the stats

 

but I think the emphasis is on the pitching/defense in order to win.

 

run differential is obviously tied into those stats, however, I think RD gets way too much focus...

 

like you said, being good in one run games is the key... just think of how good our record would be if we had a 'decent' pen/sp staff with all those late (and early) leads we've had in most of our games this year.

 

I would agree with you about run differential, if...as you said, our pen would be holding leads more often.

Usually teams doing well, and struggling with run differential, have to be great in 1 run games. We haven't even been that. We've just been average / slightly above average in those games.

We'll see if it catches up to us...I think Tucker will make a difference in the pen, for what it's worth. :thumbup

Ok, I think some of us don't really take a step back and realize just how great this team has it. True, we don't have a ton of payroll this year, but we have had some great things happen.

 

1. Scott Olsen- Last year, dud on the mound, tons of off field stuff. This year, great presence, showing maturity and having great numbers.

2. Gonzo- Signed for much less than what he was seeking, and provided us with a great bat and leadership when one of our top bats went down for a period of time.

3. Hanley & Uggla- Pretty obvious, but what a great year so far!

4. Renyel Pinto- Until he started to get tired, he was putting up career numbers.

5. Helms- Best 3B $1 can buy.

6. Cantu- Who woulda thought he would be putting up the numbers he has after falling off the face of the earth last year.

7. JJ and Sanchez- If they are the pitchers of old when they get back, it's the equivalent of a

CC Sabathia, Rich Harden move. Two fresh arms that could potentially anchor our staff for the run.

8. Nolasco- He, like Olsen, has stepped up and proved his worth thus far.

 

I just needed to put this thought in writing, so if this seems to corny, please be easy on me. This team constantly amazes me. It's so much fun being able to follow a guy from the beginning to being an all star. I don't know if anyone will honestly ever have the opportunity to see this much young talent assembled again. There are easily 5-6 guys on our team that could go on to have all star numbers in a few years.

 

After following a team like this, how could anyone be a fan of a large market team? Throwing millions upon millions at 35 year old mercenaries isn't fun. Fun is seeing a guy develop in front of your eyes. Fun is seeing the under-dogs win. Fun is defying the odds. The Marlins are aggravating, but they are fun.

 

it's the equivalent of a CC Sabathia, Rich Harden move.

 

That's pushing it, but I understand what you're saying.

Yeah, the DBacks.

However, I believe they were the 1st team in baseball to make the playoffs with negative run differential. I'm not sure if Rab can correct me on this one, but I think I got the stat right.

 

 

http://actasports.com/sow.php?id=145

 

the 1984 Mets missed the playoffs, but the 97 Giants were another one.

 

There also might be more that made the playoffs, that's just teams that won over 90 games.

 

(site is also filled with interesting stats if any of you are bored)

Yeah, the DBacks.

However, I believe they were the 1st team in baseball to make the playoffs with negative run differential. I'm not sure if Rab can correct me on this one, but I think I got the stat right.

 

 

http://actasports.com/sow.php?id=145

 

the 1984 Mets missed the playoffs, but the 97 Giants were another one.

 

There also might be more that made the playoffs, that's just teams that won over 90 games.

 

(site is also filled with interesting stats if any of you are bored)

 

thanks for looking that up...

 

I think with the marlins, all you really need to do is get there. There being the playoffs... and the rest is history.

 

Last two times (the only times) the marlins made the playoffs as the wildcard... well you know what happened

 

although the wildcard is much more out of reach right now than the division... damn NL west...

Ok, I think some of us don't really take a step back and realize just how great this team has it. True, we don't have a ton of payroll this year, but we have had some great things happen.

 

1. Scott Olsen- Last year, dud on the mound, tons of off field stuff. This year, great presence, showing maturity and having great numbers.

2. Gonzo- Signed for much less than what he was seeking, and provided us with a great bat and leadership when one of our top bats went down for a period of time.

3. Hanley & Uggla- Pretty obvious, but what a great year so far!

4. Renyel Pinto- Until he started to get tired, he was putting up career numbers.

5. Helms- Best 3B $1 can buy.

6. Cantu- Who woulda thought he would be putting up the numbers he has after falling off the face of the earth last year.

7. JJ and Sanchez- If they are the pitchers of old when they get back, it's the equivalent of a

CC Sabathia, Rich Harden move. Two fresh arms that could potentially anchor our staff for the run.

8. Nolasco- He, like Olsen, has stepped up and proved his worth thus far.

 

I just needed to put this thought in writing, so if this seems to corny, please be easy on me. This team constantly amazes me. It's so much fun being able to follow a guy from the beginning to being an all star. I don't know if anyone will honestly ever have the opportunity to see this much young talent assembled again. There are easily 5-6 guys on our team that could go on to have all star numbers in a few years.

 

After following a team like this, how could anyone be a fan of a large market team? Throwing millions upon millions at 35 year old mercenaries isn't fun. Fun is seeing a guy develop in front of your eyes. Fun is seeing the under-dogs win. Fun is defying the odds. The Marlins are aggravating, but they are fun.

 

 

That post makes me want to kiss you! :cheers

I'm big on pitching and defense. So I would like to see how many games we lost because of unearned runs compared to the rest of MLB. Or how many games we won despite the unearned runs. Errors aren't going to work themselves out to get us out of the cellar in that category any time soon (and probably not at all this year) and is the main reason why I say this is not a legitimate play off team. This year.

We have a 4.3 Pythagorean Over/ Under (2nd in MLB), meaning we've won about 4 more games than what we should have going by the runs scored/ runs allowed formula.

 

I love stats, but I also love how this team defies them. It gives a lot of perspective.

 

GO FISH!

We have a 4.3 Pythagorean Over/ Under (2nd in MLB), meaning we've won about 4 more games than what we should have going by the runs scored/ runs allowed formula.

 

I love stats, but I also love how this team defies them. It gives a lot of perspective.

 

GO FISH!

 

 

It's true! One day on ESPN someone was actually defending us as a team (shocking, I know) and was somewhat comparing us to the D'backs of last year (not so much in how the team plays, but more that if you looked at their numbers it didn't add up, yet there they were in the playoffs) and he said about the Marlins "I really can't give you many of their numbers right now that will back up my argument except for one: Wins and Losses"

The bottom line is that the home run covers up the majority of this team's blemishes. We are only 8th in the NL in hits, but 2nd in total bases... insanity.

The bottom line is that the home run covers up the majority of this team's blemishes. We are only 8th in the NL in hits, but 2nd in total bases... insanity.

 

Right. We're slugging the crap out of the ball. That does cover up some deficiencies. But look at the Braves who have the second lowest team ERA in the NL. Who would you rather be right now, us or them?

We have a 4.3 Pythagorean Over/ Under (2nd in MLB), meaning we've won about 4 more games than what we should have going by the runs scored/ runs allowed formula.

 

I love stats, but I also love how this team defies them. It gives a lot of perspective.

 

GO FISH!

 

 

It's true! One day on ESPN someone was actually defending us as a team (shocking, I know) and was somewhat comparing us to the D'backs of last year (not so much in how the team plays, but more that if you looked at their numbers it didn't add up, yet there they were in the playoffs) and he said about the Marlins "I really can't give you many of their numbers right now that will back up my argument except for one: Wins and Losses"

 

 

Was that person skip bayless? and was the show first and ten?

The bottom line is that the home run covers up the majority of this team's blemishes. We are only 8th in the NL in hits, but 2nd in total bases... insanity.

 

Right. We're slugging the crap out of the ball. That does cover up some deficiencies. But look at the Braves who have the second lowest team ERA in the NL. Who would you rather be right now, us or them?

 

Its just amazing how this team became a squad that relies on the home run considering the front offices usual m.o. I almost feel spoiled with the long ball, now execting we hit a couple a game. Some teams go games in between bombs.

The bottom line is that the home run covers up the majority of this team's blemishes. We are only 8th in the NL in hits, but 2nd in total bases... insanity.

 

Right. We're slugging the crap out of the ball. That does cover up some deficiencies. But look at the Braves who have the second lowest team ERA in the NL. Who would you rather be right now, us or them?

Us, easily.

I really don't know how that is lucky. Half of having a good team is having good luck.

We have a 4.3 Pythagorean Over/ Under (2nd in MLB), meaning we've won about 4 more games than what we should have going by the runs scored/ runs allowed formula.

 

I love stats, but I also love how this team defies them. It gives a lot of perspective.

 

GO FISH!

 

 

It's true! One day on ESPN someone was actually defending us as a team (shocking, I know) and was somewhat comparing us to the D'backs of last year (not so much in how the team plays, but more that if you looked at their numbers it didn't add up, yet there they were in the playoffs) and he said about the Marlins "I really can't give you many of their numbers right now that will back up my argument except for one: Wins and Losses"

 

 

Was that person skip bayless? and was the show first and ten?

 

 

Right you are!

I actually thought this thread would have something to do with us having a -25 run differential, including some of the worst pitching / fielding statistics in baseball...and still in the race. Seriously, I don't now how long these uneven stats will last, but right now, we're proving all stat geeks wrong.

A statistical anomaly does not prove "stat geeks" wrong, you ignorant tool. I assume you think Adam Dunn is bad player as well, because, zOMG, look at that average and all those strikeouts!!!!11one.

I actually thought this thread would have something to do with us having a -25 run differential, including some of the worst pitching / fielding statistics in baseball...and still in the race. Seriously, I don't now how long these uneven stats will last, but right now, we're proving all stat geeks wrong.

 

Erick, you are very good at providing SIG options.

:thumbup

 

Stats don't equal wins all the time, case example the 2008 Florida Marlins.