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Marlins vs. Reds: Game 118 Thread

Four against the worst team in baseball.

By Thomas Bennett
HOLD ME BACK
HOLD ME BACK
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Thank you, Alex, for helping me (and others) avoid any potential awkwardness.

The Marlins march on, meanwhile, to face the hapless Reds. At 48-68, the Reds are 20 below and were called out in the beginning of the month by erstwhile ace Homer Bailey for "trying to lose 100 games."

If the Marlins, even the injury wracked Marlins we see before us today, can't take advantage of a team like this then they probably don't deserve to go the playoffs anyway.

Pitching Matchup

Team Starter ERA FIP ZIPS Projected ERA (ROS)
CIN Brandon Finnegan 4.45 5.69 4.82
MIA David Phelps 2.40 2.98 3.86

Finnegan gave up three runs in six innings of work in his last outing against the Cardinals Tuesday. He allowed six hits, struck out five but walked six. He's only had three outings all year where he hasn't walked a batter; in 15 outings, he's walked three or more. The Marlins would be wise to work the count in this one.

As Michael noted last Thursday, David Phelps has maintained his velocity thus far despite the move from the pen. Let's hope he keeps it up, because this rotation needs David Phelps now. David Phelps, Marlins savior. Should we have seen it coming?

Today's Lineup

MIAMI MARLINS CINCINNATI REDS
Dee Gordon - 2B Billy Hamilton - CF
Martin Prado - 3B Ivan De Jesus - SS
Christian Yelich - LF Joey Votto - 1B
Marcell Ozuna - CF Adam Duvall - LF
J.T. Realmuto - C Eugenio Suarez - 3B
Ichiro Suzuki - RF Scott Schebler - RF
Chris Johnson - 1B Tony Renda - 2B
Adeiny Hechavarria - SS Tucker Barnhart - C
David Phelps - RHP Brandon Finnegan - LHP

The post-Stanton era (2016 version) line-up has Ichiro! playing right field and batting sixth. Ozuna and Realmuto both slide up. Chris Johnson, by virtue of the A-Rod news, lives another day on a major league roster. He plays first and bats seventh.

Bold Prediction: Marlins take game one 4-3.

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