Current Series
3 game series vs Braves @ Marlins Park
Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Jun 5, 2012, 7:10 PM EDT Tim Hudson vs Anibal Sanchez Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 85.
Complete Coverage > | ||
| Wed 06/06 | 7:10 PM EDT | |
| Thu 06/07 | 7:10 PM EDT | |
The Miami Marlins are coming back from these draft-heavy last few days with an important three-game series against yet another division rival. After last taking three series against the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals, the Marlins are looking to finish at home what they tried to start on the road against the Atlanta Braves. The Braves cooled off since we last saw them, but they are still a dangerous team as always.
Tale of the Tape
| Marlins | Stat (Rank) | Braves |
|---|---|---|
| .312 (17) | wOBA | .317 (14) |
| 92 (T-19) | wRC+ | 98 (T-13) |
| 3.61 (9) | ERA | 4.17 (21) |
| 3.39 (2) | FIP | 4.07 (18) |
The picture from the last time we faced the Braves is more or less the same. The only difference really is that the Braves have regressed in terms of offense and pitching. The Braves have stopped being a top-five hitting team, something that they probably were not in any case. Their pitching staff has regressed as well, but not in a good way. The team's ERA was previously well below its FIP, but now the FIP has climbed back up to match.
Meanwhile, the Marlins have regressed in the sense that their offense has been much improved. The month of May was good for the Marlins' bats, as the team had a respectable .321 wOBA during the month. Of course, their pitching staff remained dominant despite weak performances by some of their expected cogs, and the team looks to continue that strong pitching performance tonight.
Stadium: Marlins Park
| Area | Dimensions (ft) |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 344 |
| Left-Center | 386 |
| Center Field | 416 |
| Right-Center | 392 |
| Right Field | 335 |
Ah, it's good to be home.
Pitching Matchup
| Proj Win% | Proj ERA | FIP | ERA | Marlins | Braves | ERA | FIP | Proj ERA | Proj Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .535 | 3.66 | 2.64 | 2.57 | Sanchez | Hudson | 4.60 | 3.06 | 3.51 | .550 |
Anibal Sanchez has looked as dominant as can be, and there does not seem to be much stopping him. In his last game against the Nationals, he whiffed five hitters in seven innings and allowed only one run, and this sort of performance has been pretty consistent throughout. Sanchez has allowed more than three runs in only one of his starts all season, and even in that one he posted a 1.52 FIP and struck out seven batters in just over five innings. He is on a roll and looking to continue it versus Atlanta.
The Braves will throw out Tim Hudson, whose ERA simply does not match his peripheral performance. Hudson is doing his typical Hudson thing in preventing homers (one in 45 innings this year) and getting grounders (58.7 percent rate), but for some reason the results have been awful. He should get back on track provided some better luck with runners on (batters hitting .316/.425/.429 with runners on this year against him), but hopefully that does not come tonight against the Fish.
Lineup
| Order | Player | Proj wOBA vs. RHP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jose Reyes | .351 |
| 2 | Omar Infante | .321 |
| 3 | Hanley Ramirez | .354 |
| 4 | Giancarlo Stanton | .385 |
| 5 | Logan Morrison | .350 |
| 6 | Bryan Petersen | .314 |
| 7 | John Buck | .293 |
| 8 | Chris Coghlan | .314 |
This is once again the Marlins' typical lineup versus right handers, complete with three lefty bats and the switch-hitting Reyes at the top. As of late, the Marlins have been carried by Hanley Ramirez to start the month after Giancarlo Stanton got the team through May. Hopefully tonight, both players rock the bats against Hudson and the Braves.
Notes
- I will not be here tonight, as I will be putting myself on a self-imposed computer break so that I can study. Hopefully you Fish Stripers keep the thread busy!
Bold Prediction: Marlins def. Braves 3-2