The Miami Marlins face an exceedingly difficult climb to the top of the National League Wild Card race, and the climb continues tonight at Marlins Park. The Fish come home after a midwest swing to face the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-game series, with the Cards holding the top Wild Card position and a one-game lead over the next closest Wild Card competitor on the outside looking in. The Fish will want to gain traction against them, but how will they do so?
Pitching Matchup
PROJ ERA | FIP | ERA | MARLINS | Cardinals | ERA | FIP | PROJ ERA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.34 | 3.93 | 3.80 | Koehler | Miller | 3.99 | 4.68 | 3.79 |
Tom Koehler quietly has put up a halfway acceptable season. For a fourth or fifth starter, Koehler's numbers are downright average; his ERA- and FIP- of 102 and 105 respectively are improvements from last year and are barely worse than the league average.
Meanwhile, Shelby Miller spent all of one outing out of the rotation before being forced back into service in a season in which he has looked a bit broken.
Lineup
The Marlins will throw out their usual starting lineup, and I will throw out my obligatory "where is Enrique Hernandez?" comment. The Fish have been in quite a hitting slump and have been lucky to get out with just a 5-7 record in their last 12 games. The team will hopefully recover against a struggling Miller.
Bold Prediction: Marlins def. Cardinals 4-3