MO2 overview: Summing up Marlins successful series at Braves
The Miami Marlins were three outs away from their first ever four-game sweep of the Braves at Atlanta. It didn’t turn out that way, but in many ways, the Marlins turned the corner during the series
By Joe Frisaro @ManOn2nd
You want to be greedy, right? Of course, you do.
It’s like digging through a bag of chips when you’re hungry. You know you should stop, and crumple the big bag back up so you don’t spoil your appetite for dinner. Yet, you find yourself going back for just one more handful.
We’ve all been there. You know that hungry feeling of always wanting more.
In the case of the Miami Marlins on Thursday afternoon, you were exceedingly wanting to be greedy. You wanted to get the brooms out, and complete the four-game sweep. Oh, were the Marlins close. They were so close. ThisClose.
Three outs away, but it didn’t happen. So rather than celebrate a last at-bat comeback win, the Marlins were walked off, 7-6, by the Braves on Dansby Swanson’s one-out, RBI single off Dylan Floro in the ninth.
The setback was unsettling for a bit, as the Braves rejoiced at Truist Park. But the outcome is hardly demoralizing.
For the Marlins, taking three of four, and going 4-2 on the trip that started with a controversial loss at the New York Mets last Thursday, has kept Miami in a good spot 12 games into the season.
What did we learn from Thursday specifically, and the series overall? Let’s explore.
From the couch, MO2 was taking notes, and here’s what was jotted down.
Bullpen: Dylan Floro has been really good. MO2 has been telling you about him since the end of Spring Training, and he’s well suited for high-leverage and save situations. It didn’t pan out for the 30-year-old on Thursday. Still, Floro is the least of the Marlins’ worries.
Overall, in the four-games, the Marlins’ ‘pen was just fine. They were tagged for five runs on Thursday, with Zach Pop giving up a three-run homer to Pablo Sandoval earlier in the game. That’s bound to happen when the ‘pen is logging four of so innings a game.
In the first three games of the series, the ‘pen allowed just two runs in 14 innings, including prevailing twice in extra innings. Yimi Garcia is handling save situations nicely.
John Curtiss has been reliable, and Anthony Bass is working towards getting back into the mix.
In the four games, Miami’s ‘pen had a 3.63 ERA in 17 1/3 innings, striking out 17 with eight walks. For the most part, they were fine.
The Braves, on the other hand, had a rough bullpen series. The Marlins scored 14 runs (13 earned) off Atlanta’s relievers in 17 innings. That’s a 6.88 ERA in the series, with 19 strikeouts and 10 walks.
Adam Duvall: Have yourself a series, Mr. Duvall! The veteran outfielder put it on his former team, going 7-for-14 with three homers, two doubles and nine RBIs. Of course, he enjoyed the two-homer, four-hit, seven RBI night a few days ago. As a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning, Duvall laced the game-tying double on Thursday. Miami grabbed the lead on Garrett Cooper’s RBI single.
The Marlins continue to mix and match Duvall, Corey Dickerson, Cooper and Jesus Aguilar. It’s all good. They all will play plenty, and are actually best used in these roles. If anyone separates himself, there will be more playing time.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.: More Jazz! The more we see, the more we want to see. Jazz is making blue hair and homers popular in the early going. To MO2, the key hit of the road trip, and perhaps the season, came last Saturday at Citi Field when Chisholm homered of Jacob deGrom. That woke up the Marlins, and helped get them on track at Atlanta.
In the series, Jazz was 4-for-11 with a homer, double, two runs and a stolen base.
Starling Marte: There’s a lot of young, exciting young players on the Marlins. MO2 is quick to remind, don’t forget who the best position player on the team is. Without question, it’s center fielder Starling Marte.
Marte went 5-for-16 in the series with eight runs scored, and he continues to play stellar defense. He homered on Thursday.
Jesus Aguilar: Aguilar has been amazing all season, especially getting the job done with runners on base. The first baseman went 5-for-14 in the series with two RBIs. Aguilar is hitting .333 on the season. What’s also impressive is he puts the ball in play. In 39 at-bats, he’s struck out just four times. This is why I’m stunned he was pitched to in the 10th inning in Wednesday’s 6-5 win.
With first base open, Aguilar had the game-winning, RBI double. I felt he should have been walked, to get to Duvall for a potential double play. I get it that Duvall is super hot, but he also has a high strikeout rate. In extra innings, you want to avoid the ball being put in play with no or one out.
One thought on “MO2 overview: Summing up Marlins successful series at Braves”
Comments are closed.