Creatures From the Deep are Upon Us

Jun 26, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Placido Polanco (30) congratulates catcher Jeff Mathis (6) on his two run home run home run in the fifth inning at Marlins Park. The Marlins won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

2.  The Marlins Could Be For Real

First place (20-15).  Won 5 in a row.  A crazy 17-5 down in the Concrete Confines of Marlins Park.  If they can learn how to win on the road, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Could this happen?  Yes – here’s why:

• Pitching.  Led by our nemesis Jose Fernandez, the Fish’s Fastball Flingers are now 8th in ERA in the majors, 8th in K Rate, 8th in ground ball percentages, 9th in walk rate, and 11th in HR-allowed-rate.  That adds up to a solid combination which will allow them to hang around in almost every game, while the offense…
• Hitting.  Fangraphs ranks their offense as #6 in baseball – and four of the clubs ahead of them are in the AL – in offensive WAR.  The Braves are 22nd on that same list.  That gives them the 2nd highest run differential in the NL (Colorado).

One weak spot:  defense.  The Marlins have the 9th most errors in the majors and the 7th most unearned runs allowed (Nationals have the most).  So far, this hasn’t hurt them too badly, but it’s something to keep watch on.