March 22, 200917 yr Nolasco lined up to start opener Marlins likely to hold fifth starter back until April 18 By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com JUPITER, Fla. -- Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez has yet to make anything official regarding the Opening Day starter, but more light has been shed on when the No. 5 starter will join the rotation. Because of early off-days on April 9 and April 13, the Marlins will go with a four-man rotation early. The initial plan was to add the fifth starter around April 21. Gonzalez now says April 18, when Florida is at Washington, is the likely target date to employ the No. 5. "That way everybody will get six days' [rest]," Gonzalez said. Otherwise, at least one of the projected starters would face having to wait seven days between appearances. The aim is to keep them as close to their regular routine as possible. There is still plenty of time in Spring Training to shuffle the possible rotation, but the way things are shaping up, it appears Ricky Nolasco will be the Opening Day starter on April 6 at home against the Nationals. Nolasco is pitching on Sunday against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. He's going against Justin Verlander, who should pitch for Detroit on Opening Day. If Nolasco continues pitching every fifth day, his regular turn would fall on April 6, with Josh Johnson on track for April 7. Looking at some of the pitching matchups around the league, a number of projected No. 1 starters are also throwing on Sunday. For example, Josh Beckett of the Red Sox is starting against the Phillies' Brett Myers. Both of those right-handers should take the ball for their club on Opening Day. It appears the Marlins' rotation will be Nolasco followed by Johnson, Chris Volstad and Anibal Sanchez. The fifth starter is expected to be Andrew Miller, the lone left-hander of the group. It appears Miller, who is working on a new delivery and a changeup this spring, could be the one added to the rotation on April 18. Nothing has been announced on the possible rotation, but Gonzalez did say the team is weighing how to get the fifth starter work before he makes his first start of the season. The Marlins haven't ruled out giving that pitcher a Minor League start or two to keep him sharp. If it is Miller who enters on April 18, he would basically be in the No. 3 slot, working a day after Johnson and a day ahead of Volstad. Florida is expected to carry 12 pitchers. Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
March 22, 200917 yr JJ, ricky, Ricky, JJ it doesnt matter they're both nasty. If that's the rotation order, I think they may get tired rather quickly :whistle
March 22, 200917 yr Nolasco will be starting pitcher but i bet Fredi waiting untill last week to say it he pitching very well today
March 22, 200917 yr It is somewhat frustrating with the form Ricky is on atm that he still has another 2 ST starts left. Would much prefer the regular season was sooner so he can be unleashed on the NL batters
March 22, 200917 yr Author 7 no hit innings today for Nolasco :drool HELL YEA! Dominate the Nats come opening day!
March 23, 200917 yr Actually, Volstad, Nolasco and Johnson are all looking like excellent options. Thing is, right now you feel like you have a great chance of winning when any of those three take the mound. Problem is, you feel like you have an excellent chance of losing when Sanchez or Miller take the mound. If the top three maintain and the bottom two improve significantly, it will be a very good year for the Marlins.
March 23, 200917 yr Actually, Volstad, Nolasco and Johnson are all looking like excellent options. Thing is, right now you feel like you have a great chance of winning when any of those three take the mound. Problem is, you feel like you have an excellent chance of losing when Sanchez or Miller take the mound. If the top three maintain and the bottom two improve significantly, it will be a very good year for the Marlins. I absolutely agree with what u said about a general confidence of winning when Nolasco, Johnson or Volstad are pitching. However I think u may be a bit harsh on Anibal. While I dont yet have the confidence in him to the levels of the other 3, or even when he pitched in his rookie year, I am confident that he will keep us in games and give us the possibility of winning late on. Miller on the other hand, as of just now I agree with u that losing is much more realistic when he pitches. HOWEVER, he did show signs of improvement last time out, and he has the raw talent so with a little patience, he will adjust to his new delivery and hopefully sometime during this season he will gain an air of confidence about him.
March 23, 200917 yr Miller is one of those pitchers that it will click all at once and it will be like capturing lighning in a bottle...When it all comes together he will be simply amazing. Meanwhile he will be hot and cold and will win us some games and appear clueless in others. I can live with that out of the 5th spot
March 23, 200917 yr The best goes first. That means Ricky Nolasco should get the start. He earned it with his year last year, and he certainly hasn't hurt his chances this Spring Training.
March 23, 200917 yr Problem is, you feel like you have an excellent chance of losing when Sanchez or Miller take the mound. If the top three maintain and the bottom two improve significantly, it will be a very good year for the Marlins. What?! I'd take Sanchez over any #4 starter in baseball not including the Yankees. His stuff is nasty. He should have a good year pitching vs. 4's if he remains healthy. Miller is the one who needs to live up to his potential.
March 23, 200917 yr Miller is gonna be lights out some games and in others get lit up, I just hope he doesnt take as long as Randy johnson to get it together. Sanchez has been doing better in ST but im still worried about him as lefties own him and we have a lot of good lefties in our Div.
March 23, 200917 yr Problem is, you feel like you have an excellent chance of losing when Sanchez or Miller take the mound. If the top three maintain and the bottom two improve significantly, it will be a very good year for the Marlins. What?! I'd take Sanchez over any #4 starter in baseball not including the Yankees. His stuff is nasty. He should have a good year pitching vs. 4's if he remains healthy. Miller is the one who needs to live up to his potential. Sorry, but that's a homerish thing to say.
March 24, 200917 yr Problem is, you feel like you have an excellent chance of losing when Sanchez or Miller take the mound. If the top three maintain and the bottom two improve significantly, it will be a very good year for the Marlins. What?! I'd take Sanchez over any #4 starter in baseball not including the Yankees. His stuff is nasty. He should have a good year pitching vs. 4's if he remains healthy. Miller is the one who needs to live up to his potential. Sorry, but that's a homerish thing to say. Is Burnett the Yankees #4?
March 24, 200917 yr Problem is, you feel like you have an excellent chance of losing when Sanchez or Miller take the mound. If the top three maintain and the bottom two improve significantly, it will be a very good year for the Marlins. What?! I'd take Sanchez over any #4 starter in baseball not including the Yankees. His stuff is nasty. He should have a good year pitching vs. 4's if he remains healthy. Miller is the one who needs to live up to his potential. Sorry, but that's a homerish thing to say. Is Burnett the Yankees #4? No, Burnett is their #2. Pettite is their #4.
March 27, 200917 yr Its officially been confirmed that Nolasco will pitch the opener. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=fla
March 27, 200917 yr Nolasco 1, JJ 2, Volstad 3 he declined to name 4 & 5 http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/articl...sp&c_id=fla
March 27, 200917 yr so I'm expecting a sweep of the nats then we lose the first game to the damn mets and win the next two.
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