MO2 Overview: Marte’s three-run HR powers Marlins past Giants

MO2 Overview: Marte’s three-run HR powers Marlins past Giants

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Starling Marte remains the constant in the Marlins’ lineup, and the center fielder slugged a three-run homer in the eighth inning that has Miami fans ready to party.

By Joe Frisaro @ManOn2nd

“Partay Time,” for the Marlins.

Starling Marte gave the Marlins plenty of reasons to celebrate on Friday night, making his typical standout plays in center field. But it was “Marte Partay Time” for the Marlins in the eighth inning. The veteran outfielder delivered the decisive blow, his no-doubt, three-run homer that lifted Miami to a 4-1 win in the series opener with the Giants at loanDepot park.

The well-pitched game was decided late in heroic fashion.

MO2 breaks down the highlights.

Another Marte moment:

Marte’s big blast is the latest huge moment for the club’s best positional player. Marte should be the team’s early frontrunner to be an All-Star (granted, there are others). But he tops the list, in the eyes of MO2.

In 50 at-bats, the 32-year-old is hitting .320 with two homers, seven RBIs and a .937 OPS. He’s now scored 13 runs in 13 games.

The specifics on the home run, per Statcast, are 427 feet and 107.6 mph off the bat. Those figures just reinforce that Marte is a force, physically.

The key for Marte on Friday was the timing. With the score tied at 1, and two on, it was a matter of who was going to deliver the big hit. You want your best players to rise in the biggest moments. Marte did just that, and started off the homestand on a high.

Jazz Chisholm Jr.: We can talk about Jazz Chisholm Jr. every day, and we just might have to, if he keeps delivering like he did again on Friday.

Trailing by a run in the fifth inning, Chisholm blistered a liner to right off Anthony DeSclafani that deflected off the top of the wall and over it for a home run. The exit speed was 103.1 mph and traveled 373 feet. Make it five straight games for the rookie with an extra-base hit.

Chisholm is becoming the most electrifying player in the lineup. His approach continues to improve, especially as he understands what teams are trying to do with him. What Jazz is effectively doing is tracking pitches better, and not overswinging. He’s using the entire field, and the game is slowing down for him.

The 23-year-old is worth the price of admission.

Miguel Rojas: It’s time to give some attention to The Captain. Miami’s least selfish player made one of his trademark leaping throws on Friday.

Let’s reset. In the second inning, the Marlins used an infield shift for right-handed hitting Darin Ruf, moving Rojas even more into the hole towards third, and aligning Jazz on the shortstop side of second base. Ruf bounced to Jazz, who flipped the ball to Rojas, who shuffled to second, and then made a leaping throw to first. Garrett Cooper dug it out of the dirt to complete the double play.

Because it was a flashy play, fans will take notice. What shouldn’t go unnoticed is this is the importance of athleticism among middle infielders.

Rojas and Chisholm are both natural shortstops. The Marlins have targeted athletic players who can play the middle of the field, and then be moved to other positions. They are doing that with Jazz.

Daniel Castano: The left-hander made his first start of the season, and he’s going to play a significant role on this team. The Marlins are going to need starting pitching depth.

Sixto Sanchez, Elieser Hernandez and Edward Cabrera are all out with injuries. It’s encouraging they’ve started their throwing programs, but it is unclear when they may be ready. Sanchez and Cabrera, especially, need to be handled with care. The organization will not rush their recovery.

Over the course of the season, there will be opportunity for Castano to log meaningful innings. He worked five innings, giving up one run on three hits with two walks and no strikeouts. He did induce nine ground ball outs.

https://twitter.com/Marlins/status/1383185688548548608?s=20

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