I'm gonna say it....if this 2010 team does not make the playoffs, but finishes between 81-92 wins....that's a win. Three straight years of .500 or better ball is nice to have. Marlins really need to take this SanFran series, cause SD is gonna be tougher.

 

8-4 since the All-Star break.

 

 

No it isn't a win if we finish so poorly.

We are at .500 right now (50-50) with 62 games left and chances are slim to make the playoffs.

If we don't make the playoffs the season in all is a loss since it's what we were set out to do but i'd be satisfied if we finish in the lines off 88-74 and missed the playoffs. Along with the obvious shaky bullpen a huge disappointment this season has been Hanley Ramirez. As the superstar off this team he should but at least at a .300 avg with the lack of power he's shown. It would be more understandable if he was hitting .280 with 20 homeruns but he's on pace for career lows in HR's and avg. If we won't to come close to making the playoffs Hanley is a big X Factor.

We need a solid 6 inning from Sanabia tomorrow and then finish with Veras, Clay, Leo and take it to game 4 where it's Bumgarner vs Anibal.

 

We could easily tack on 5 or 6 early runs against Sanchez tomorrow. Get the job done.

 

 

 

This is like...the optimistic post!

 

That's great that you're thinking that way, but...

1. Sanabia going 6 is unlikely.

2. At least 1/3 of that bullpen combo I no longer have confidence in. Jose Veras is looking like Jose Veras again.

3. Bumgarner vs. Anibal might be a matchup in our favor, but don't underestimate Bumgarner; he's a top prospect, pitching well in the big leagues now.

 

4. 5 or 6 early runs against Sanchez tomorrow? Despite the hopeful comparisons on here, Jonathan Sanchez is realistically a lot better than Andrew Miller. We're facing a good pitcher tomorrow. Considering we're among the bottom in team walks, and top 2 in team strikeouts, it doesn't give me much hope against a guy like Sanchez going into the game.

 

Point is, a split is not good enough, and I highly doubt we win the next 2 in SF (I see us most likely taking 1, as we always seem to do. The definition of a .500 team).

 

Bottom line though...trade Cantu. And since I don't like him, and he serves no purpose on a non-contender...trade Wes Helms, too.

 

Well I'm pretty sure if Alex is doing well and only if, Edwin will have no choice but to have him go at least 6 and pass that 80 PC Limit. All we really need from him is 5 or 6 IP allowing 4 R or less.

 

Veras has gotten a little shaky but we need to throw him out there regardless, I still have tons of faith in Clay and Leo.

 

We can really beat Sanchez if guys like Lo Mo, Hanley, Gaby and Wes show some patience and make him throw a pitch to hit.

He has been good this season but we own him in his career with a .333 BAA in 3 games (1 start) I know It's a tiny sample size but I'll take it and we need this win tomorrow.

 

Thursday will be tough, Bumgarner is a future ace and we've never seen him before and he's a lefty with good offspeed pitches which is usually bad for our lineup so we'll see what happens.

 

We can certainly do it but we are going to need to be flawless or lucky and we haven't gotten much of either lately.

 

You're right, I don't expect this team to make the playoffs either with the streaky hitting and lack there off a stable bullpen but if Logan can put in a good showing in his time up here along with Sanabia and the somewhat reincarnation of Volstad then 2011 looks really good!

 

B.T.W. Dan Uggla has definitely been the Offensive MVP this season! His Avg is close to .280 he has 21 HR's, 61 RBI's, 67 Runs Scored and an OPS of .855. We really need to resign him for a good amount of money.

 

 

Just saying that we've been really lucky lately, winning all of our close games and stuff.

also i honestly dont see a reason why sanabia cannot go deep tomorrow. his pitch count should not be an issue now and 100 pitches is very reasonable. he threw 92 his last start.

While that is true, as a fan I'd like my team to have higher expectations and consistently much better results than Baltimore and Pittsburgh. I don't want the Marlins comparing themselves with those two organizations. As I said, I'm sure the front office agrees with me. Despite the low payroll, the front office expected the team to make the playoffs this year. I like that expectation, and if the team fails to meet those expectations, then they failed. If that sounds unfair, so be it. You can't win without having the mindset of a winner, first.

 

I agree...it sort of annoys me when people say "Well, they have one of the lowest payrolls in the Majors, so just finishing above .500 is an accomplishment in itself." The team has good pieces (some underrated) and needs a little more to become a playoff team. I think only Marlins fans expect more out of them.

While that is true, as a fan I'd like my team to have higher expectations and consistently much better results than Baltimore and Pittsburgh. I don't want the Marlins comparing themselves with those two organizations. As I said, I'm sure the front office agrees with me. Despite the low payroll, the front office expected the team to make the playoffs this year. I like that expectation, and if the team fails to meet those expectations, then they failed. If that sounds unfair, so be it. You can't win without having the mindset of a winner, first.

 

 

You're right, what am I thinking. Pitt and Baltimore are clearly AA teams in the Majors. :lol , seriously, I doubt Baltimore could could go even 10-10 in 20 games against AA teams.

 

Nats are like a AAA team.

 

I expected this team to make the playoffs before the season started, and I still have hope. Yeah, losses hurt, but if the team can win series and go on a long winning streak, it can happen.

 

Actually, I take it back, Baltimore is a single A team :lol muahaha.

Well on the flip side....Uggla hit #141 and #142...one behind Lowell's record. Looks like it'll be a career year for him.

Well on the flip side....Uggla hit #141 and #142...one behind Lowell's record. Looks like it'll be a career year for him.

 

 

I really hope he is clean. And I honestly believe he is, he takes protein bars and works out very hard (seen youtube vids of him in gym). However...if he is using...I still think he'll be cool. Him and Vladimir are the only players in the league off the top of my head I would still think are cool if they tested positive for something. I'd be disappointed though, but still like them.

 

Now if Hamilton were using I be like 'Dude, you learned nothing from your past.' If Kotsay were using I be stunned. Like dude, he never hit 20 homers a season.

Is there any valuable lefty reliever? We were troubled with it all season long.

 

DO SOMETHING, PLEASE.

Neither Brian Sanches nor Jose Veras are setup men. We need somebody besides Hensley who can do the job.

 

 

given it was a terribly small sample size, with how well Sanabia pitched out of the pen earlier and West on the cusp of coming back...he could be the answer.

I'd just like to point out that Dan Uggla is not having a career year. For the most part, he's always been a HR hitter like this; overall, his current year is about the same, if not slightly worse than his 2008 numbers.

 

Uggla is one of the most underrated hitters in baseball, especially considering that he's a 2B. It's been 5 consistent years now; it's a shame he only gets significantly noticed for his 3 error All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

At least Johnson didnt lose, Ugglas home run in the 7th got him off the hook for the loss.

I'd just like to point out that Dan Uggla is not having a career year. For the most part, he's always been a HR hitter like this; overall, his current year is about the same, if not slightly worse than his 2008 numbers.

 

Uggla is one of the most underrated hitters in baseball, especially considering that he's a 2B. It's been 5 consistent years now; it's a shame he only gets significantly noticed for his 3 error All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

 

 

Good thing I hardly ever watch the All-Star game. More of a HR Derby guy.

Neither Brian Sanches nor Jose Veras are setup men. We need somebody besides Hensley who can do the job.

 

 

Make that 2 or 3 somebodies.

 

I still think we're going to have to spend a little bit on the bullpen next year. Sure, it's possible all the kids will come up and perform right away, but if we can maybe sign two veterans for $5-$7 million of our payroll (maybe a LOOGY and an MRP), I think we'll be a lot better off; plus, that gives the kids some cushion and room to develop.

 

And if everyone somehow REALLY pans out, you can deal the veterans for a decent return around July 31.

I'd just like to point out that Dan Uggla is not having a career year. For the most part, he's always been a HR hitter like this; overall, his current year is about the same, if not slightly worse than his 2008 numbers.

 

Uggla is one of the most underrated hitters in baseball, especially considering that he's a 2B. It's been 5 consistent years now; it's a shame he only gets significantly noticed for his 3 error All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

 

 

Good thing I hardly ever watch the All-Star game. More of a HR Derby guy.

 

The HR Derby hasn't been nearly as fun since the juicers stopped participating (or retired)

I'd just like to point out that Dan Uggla is not having a career year. For the most part, he's always been a HR hitter like this; overall, his current year is about the same, if not slightly worse than his 2008 numbers.

 

Uggla is one of the most underrated hitters in baseball, especially considering that he's a 2B. It's been 5 consistent years now; it's a shame he only gets significantly noticed for his 3 error All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

 

 

Good thing I hardly ever watch the All-Star game. More of a HR Derby guy.

 

The HR Derby hasn't been nearly as fun since the juicers stopped participating (or retired)

 

Hamilton wowed everybody, but that wa sin 2008. And he's clean, outside of maybe tobacco dip.

After Sanches gave up the first home run and then the single, I expected Badenhop to come in and try to get a dp ball, with only 1 run crossing the plate... wasnt pleased when Sanches threw that second meatball...oh well

Hanley's not the problem, he's hitting .289/.368/.452

 

He's certainly part of the problem.

 

Career through 2009:

.316 .386 .531 .917

 

This season through May 31:

.295 .374 .482 .856

 

Worse, this season since June 1:

.282 .362 .420 .781

 

From previous career numbers, BA is off 34 points, SLG off 111 points and OPS off 136 points. Good thing he's walking more because the rest of his performance so far this year sucks. I won't get into whether his attitude is good, bad or indifferent as Freddi, the apparent former thorn in his side is gone, so he's dogging it less.

 

My theory is that he thinks he's Manny. The deliberate Manny-like double bat-tap on the plate, takes a couple of Manny-like low swings and then he's constantly breaking his knees at the plate, bobbing up and down, constant movement. That was never part of his plate persona last year or before.

 

Never mind his constant grabbing at his cup. The guy grabs his crotch more than the rest of the team combined. At the plate and in the field, it's incessant. He needs to find a cup that fits and get over himself, particularly in view of his (relatively) crap production.

 

Assuming that at some point he comes back to reality, perhaps he'll revert to his previous high trajectory and actually help this team. For the moment, I'd rather see Mr. Walk-off playing short for a week or two.

81-81!

Hanley's not the problem, he's hitting .289/.368/.452

 

He's certainly part of the problem.

 

Career through 2009:

.316 .386 .531 .917

 

This season through May 31:

.295 .374 .482 .856

 

Worse, this season since June 1:

.282 .362 .420 .781

 

From previous career numbers, BA is off 34 points, SLG off 111 points and OPS off 136 points. Good thing he's walking more because the rest of his performance so far this year sucks. I won't get into whether his attitude is good, bad or indifferent as Freddi, the apparent former thorn in his side is gone, so he's dogging it less.

 

My theory is that he thinks he's Manny. The deliberate Manny-like double bat-tap on the plate, takes a couple of Manny-like low swings and then he's constantly breaking his knees at the plate, bobbing up and down, constant movement. That was never part of his plate persona last year or before.

 

Never mind his constant grabbing at his cup. The guy grabs his crotch more than the rest of the team combined. At the plate and in the field, it's incessant. He needs to find a cup that fits and get over himself, particularly in view of his (relatively) crap production.

 

Assuming that at some point he comes back to reality, perhaps he'll revert to his previous high trajectory and actually help this team. For the moment, I'd rather see Mr. Walk-off playing short for a week or two.

Whether he's a problem depends on how you look at it. He has played better than the average SS so it that sence he's not a problem but on the other hand he has played far below what was reasonably expected out of him so it that sence he's a problem. Considering both his bat and glove he has costs about 3 wins compared to what was resonably expected out of him. My guess is his decline in performance between '09 to '10 is one of the "top" 5 worst in MLB out of all healthy players. I just hope this a fluke year and he bounces back.

this is getting ridiculous. we need to call up ceda and west and we need to stop hitting stanton so low in the god damn lineup.

 

we need to have this lineup

 

Hanley

Logan

Gaby

Uggla

Stanton

Cody

Paulino

3b

also i honestly dont see a reason why sanabia cannot go deep tomorrow. his pitch count should not be an issue now and 100 pitches is very reasonable. he threw 92 his last start.

 

I hope so but he's just not the kind of pitcher that's gonna go deep into a game,I don't think.

 

His last 3 starts IP

4.1

5.1-W

3.1

 

If we get 5/6 innings out of Sanabia,then he's put in a good day. I think 5 is really about his max.. but ya never know if he could keep pitch count low during the first couple innings.

Can we say Hanley have the Homerun Derby blues, just asking.

on the other hand he has played far below what was reasonably expected out of him

 

Precisely.

 

It's one of the reasons that they're been struggling to barely remain in some semblance of contention. So it goes. He's but one of many problems.

Hanley's not the problem, he's hitting .289/.368/.452

 

He's certainly part of the problem.

 

Career through 2009:

.316 .386 .531 .917

 

This season through May 31:

.295 .374 .482 .856

 

Worse, this season since June 1:

.282 .362 .420 .781

 

From previous career numbers, BA is off 34 points, SLG off 111 points and OPS off 136 points. Good thing he's walking more because the rest of his performance so far this year sucks. I won't get into whether his attitude is good, bad or indifferent as Freddi, the apparent former thorn in his side is gone, so he's dogging it less.

 

My theory is that he thinks he's Manny. The deliberate Manny-like double bat-tap on the plate, takes a couple of Manny-like low swings and then he's constantly breaking his knees at the plate, bobbing up and down, constant movement. That was never part of his plate persona last year or before.

 

Never mind his constant grabbing at his cup. The guy grabs his crotch more than the rest of the team combined. At the plate and in the field, it's incessant. He needs to find a cup that fits and get over himself, particularly in view of his (relatively) crap production.

 

Assuming that at some point he comes back to reality, perhaps he'll revert to his previous high trajectory and actually help this team. For the moment, I'd rather see Mr. Walk-off playing short for a week or two.

Whether he's a problem depends on how you look at it. He has played better than the average SS so it that sence he's not a problem but on the other hand he has played far below what was reasonably expected out of him so it that sence he's a problem. Considering both his bat and glove he has costs about 3 wins compared to what was resonably expected out of him. My guess is his decline in performance between '09 to '10 is one of the "top" 5 worst in MLB out of all healthy players. I just hope this a fluke year and he bounces back.

This is really what I meant. It's definitely not helping the team that he's playing badly by his standards and he's definitely hurting compared to himself the last few years, but he's still one of the top SS this year.

One of the ways of looking at whether Hanley is "part of the problem" is, what is he being paid to do? If he's not doing it, I think he's part of the problem. There are a lot of other parts, of course, but he's one.