Happy Mother's Day to all of the Moms. Since it is Mother's Day, there will be pink all over the ballpark. If tradition holds true, some of the players will use pink bats while most all will be wearing a pink something to not only celebrate Mom but also bring awareness to the very serious disease of breast cancer. For the seventh straight year MLB is teaming with the Susan G. Komen foundation in order to try and find a cure for breast cancer. This is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart.
This year the Marlins Honorary Bat Girl is Alison Pages, a very worthy recipient of the honor. No, Ms. Pages won't have to spend the day in the sun chasing down bats, that would be cruel, but she will be a part of the pre-game activities.
Now to the game.
I hope part of the Marlins Mother's Day gifts, to Mom, is to end the losing streak. Not only are the Marlins in danger of losing four in-a-row, they are also up against being swept for the first time this season. Given the way the guys are hitting recently, I hope they will all use pink bats. The other ones are working all that well of late.
Anibal Sanchez takes the hill for the Marlins. Anibal's last start wasn't all that bad considering we was walking everyone in sight. If he can command his breaking pitches and spot his fastball, he should do all right. He typically finds the home mound to his liking but if the defense and offense doesn't start playing better it really won't matter much whatever he does.
Livan Hernandez gets the call for the Nationals. You all know Livan, he is a junker who throws slow, slower and slowest. If the Marlins hitters can be patient, they will make contact. However, if they start swinging and coming out their shoes, that ain't going to work. If they will go with the pitches, they could have some success. Livan does his best work at home so far this season, and I mean by a lot. But they may not hold true today since he was once a Marlin and he knows the park.
The Marlins lineup is as follows:
Bonifacio, LF
Coghlan, CF
Ramirez, SS
Gaby, 1B
Stanton, RF
Dobbs, 3B
Buck, C
Infante, 2B
Anibal, P
Ichthyomancy is still hating day games.
Best of Luck to You!