Current Series
3 game series vs Pirates @ PNC Park
Miami Marlins Friday, Jul 20, 2012, 7:05 PM EDT Ricky Nolasco vs Kevin Correia Cloudy. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75.
Complete Coverage > | ||
| Sat 07/21 | 7:05 PM EDT | |
| Sun 07/22 | 1:35 PM EDT | |
The Miami Marlins are coming off a disappointing series in Chicago where the Cubs took two of three games in close fashion when the Fish were unable to deliver timely offense. With the easy part of this midwest road trip out of the way, the Fish come to the challenge of defeating the (eyebrows raised) NL Central-leading Pittsburgh Pirates as they start a three-game series in beautiful PNC Park.
I did not get a chance to get questions out to Charlie Wilmont of Bucs Dugout, but I may do so this weekend. Until then, let's preview tonight's game and see if we cannot defeat the Bucs after their surprise hot start.
Pitching Matchup
| Proj Win% | Proj ERA | FIP | ERA | Marlins | Pirates | ERA | FIP | Proj ERA | Proj Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .446 | 4.44 | 3.98 | 4.47 | Nolasco | Correia | 4.25 | 5.01 | 5.26 | .366 |
I could say more about the team's chances of winning based on these pitching matchups, but I will leave it at this: Ricky Nolasco has been pretty bad this year, but if there is anyone he can outpitch, it is a guy like Correia who makes the average hitter strike out as much as Jose Reyes does (10 percent in 2012). Good news on that front at least.
Lineup
| Order | Player | Proj wOBA vs. RHP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jose Reyes | .349 |
| 2 | Emilio Bonifacio | .307 |
| 3 | Carlos Lee | .322 |
| 4 | Logan Morrison | .349 |
| 5 | Justin Ruggiano | .326 |
| 6 | Greg Dobbs | .289 |
| 7 | Omar Infante | .313 |
| 8 | Brett Hayes | .258 |
Justin Ruggiano made it into the lineup tonight against the righty Correia, but rest assured, Ozzie Guillen found a way to fit Greg Dobbs into the lineup. Admittedly, it was a fair way, as the team gave Hanley Ramirez the night off, but still!
Bold Prediction: Pirates def. Marlins 3-2