Following a remarkable series where the Marlins swept the Kansas City Royals and achieved a seven-game winning streak, they showed no signs of slowing down during the recent weekend. In their encounter with the Chicago White Sox, the Marlins emerged victorious in two out of three games, propelling their record to an impressive 35-29, placing them eight games above .500. How did the Marlins manage to turn their season around and establish themselves as a legitimate playoff contender?
To begin, the Marlins have found a much-needed consistency in their pitching. A standout player, Eury Perez, pitched exceptionally well this past weekend, allowing only one run in five innings. Despite the Marlins’ narrow 2-1 loss to the White Sox in that game, Perez has consistently delivered excellent performances and remains their most reliable pitcher. With an impressive 2.17 ERA, he continues to baffle opposing batters and establish himself as one of the game’s most dominant young pitchers.
Another encouraging development is the resurgence of Sandy Alcantara, the Cy Young winner. Alcantara had a challenging and inconsistent season, currently holding a record of 2-5 with a 4.75 ERA. However, he has shown signs of improvement and stability recently. Apart from a troublesome third inning two games ago, where he allowed five runs, Alcantara has been nearly untouchable. Furthermore, with Luzardo finding his rhythm and Edward Cabrera performing well, the Marlins now possess a formidable four-man pitching rotation that is beginning to realize its potential. The improved starting pitching has also allowed the bullpen to stay fresh and effectively close out games. In the early stages of the season, when the starting pitching struggled, it took a toll on the bullpen, as Skip Schumaker was forced to overwork his relievers. However, with a rejuvenated bullpen, the Marlins have been more successful at maintaining leads.
The most significant improvement for the team has come from their offense. The Marlins made several additions to strengthen their offensive capabilities this year. Initially, outside of Luis Arraez, the Marlins had difficulties getting on base and scoring runs. However, the team has undergone a complete transformation in terms of their offensive performance. Players like Jorge Soler, Bryan De La Cruz, Arraez (who is flirting with a .400 batting average), Jesus Sanchez, and Yuli Gurriel have been on fire, providing a significant boost to the Marlins’ offense. What was once a weakness has now become a strength. A perfect example of this turnaround was seen in the rubber match against the White Sox during the series. Heading into the eighth inning, the Marlins trailed 5-1. In the past, the offense would have struggled to score even a single run. However, on this occasion, the Marlins rallied and scored five runs in the eighth and ninth innings, ultimately winning the game 6-5. With their offense now operating at the level expected of a playoff team, the Marlins have become a dangerous opponent.
The Miami Marlins have emerged as genuine contenders in the National League. With their pitching staff performing exceptionally well and their offense displaying a relentless scoring prowess, the Marlins have transcended their status as a bottom-dwelling team and now pose a serious threat in the playoffs. Led by the remarkable talents of Eury Perez and the resurgent Sandy Alcantara, the Marlins’ pitching rotation has been dominant against their opponents. Additionally, the contributions of Jorge Soler, Bryan De La Cruz, and Luis Arraez have injected power and resilience into the team’s lineup. As the Marlins continue their impressive winning streak and climb up the standings, it is evident that they should not be underestimated. The Marlins have made a bold statement with their remarkable performance, showcasing their potential for a deep postseason run. Brace yourselves, because the Miami Marlins are making waves and are leaving their mark on the 2023 MLB season.
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