Miami Marlins Series Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks

Miami Marlins (38-54) at Arizona Diamondbacks (42-48)

Monday July 20th through Wednesday July 22nd
Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona

Game Details

Monday

9:40 P.M. E.T.
TV: FSN-Florida
Radio: 940 AM WINZ, WAQI 710
Probable Starters:
MIA- David Phelps (4-5) 3.86 ERA
ARI- Rubby De La Rosa (6-5) 5.06 ERA

Tuesday

9:40 P.M. E.T.
TV: FSN- Florida
Radio: 940 AM WINZ, WAQI 710
Probable Starters:
MIA- Mat Latos (3-6) 4.90 ERA
ARI- Jeremy Hellickson (6-5) 5.04 ERA

Wednesday

9:40 P.M. E.T.
TV: FSN-Florida
Radio: 940 AM WINZ, WAQI 710
Probable Starters:
MIA- Jose Fernandez (2-0) 2.37 ERA
ARI- Robbie Ray (3-4) 2.29 ERA

Overview:

The struggling Marlins head west on their road-trip now as the fish clash with the Diamondbacks in the desert this week, following being swept this weekend by the last place Philadelphia Phillies.

The Marlins kicked off the all-star break with a marvelous performance by ace Jose Fernandez, but the bullpen wasn't able to hold up in a 6-3 loss on Friday night. The Marlins' offense floundered again in Saturday's contest, resulting in a 3-1 loss. Sunday was a day filled with offense, but the Marlins fell short 8-7 following a walk-off by Jeff Francoeur.

The Marlins offense has been more than disappointing this season, with injuries playing a big part in their failure. The Marlins recently placed Dee Gordon on the 15-Day disabled list, and both their all-stars, Gordon and Giancarlo Stanton, had to miss the all-star game due to injuries. Gordon and Stanton both lead the Marlins in WAR, posting 3.0 and 3.8 WARs respectively. The Marlins' .306 OBP is now eleventh in the National League.

The most important part for the Marlins in the upcoming weeks is not winning games, but trading pieces. The Marlins, who are twelve games back in the NL East, will be focused on trading veteran pieces as the MLB trade deadline approaches. Mat Latos, Dan Haren, Martin Prado, and Tom Koehler are all believed to be available.

The Arizona Diamondbacks will play host to the fish this week. Arizona is a team that has been slightly over achieving this season, but have fallen off recently following being swept by both the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. The Diamondbacks gave up a total of fourteen runs on Friday and Saturday, but still lost Sunday despite holding the Giants to just two runs.

Arizona played the Marlins in a four-game set in Miami earlier in the season, a series the Diamondbacks swept at Marlins Park. Arizona scored a total of twenty runs over a four-game span in that series, and the rotation got the job done.

The Diamondbacks' offense has been outstanding this season, with their .262/.323/.405 stat-line each ranking in the top five in the National League. Arizona has an OPS+ of 98, and is lead by Yasmany Tomas, Paul Goldschmidt, and A.J. Pollock. Tomas and Goldschmidt each have batting averages over .305, and Pollock, an all-star, is third on the team with an OBP of .350.

The Diamondbacks' playoff hopes seem to be diminishing, with the team now sitting nine and a half games out of first place in the NL West, and seven games out of a wild-card spot. Arizona holds a record of 22-24 at home this season.