Fish Stripes: All Posts by Daniel Rodriguez

2020 Marlins Season Review: Nick Vincent

2020-10-23T11:30:53-04:00

Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports

Activated as an emergency COVID reinforcement, Vincent ultimately found a regular role with the team.

In a year with so much uncertainty, major league clubs—especially the Marlins—had to often reach deep into their player pool to fill out their roster. Right-hander Nick Vincent, who signed on June 29 (just as summer camp was beginning), became a surprising important piece for the Marlins. Vincent was elevated to the active roster on August 3 after a COVID-19 outbreak decimated their bullpen. From there, he stuck around for the rest of 2020. While a 34 year-old relief pitcher whose career ERA is around 3.40 may not have any long-term role for the Fish, Vincent proved himself useful during this unique 60-game season.

Baseball-Reference

Vincent’s MLB career stats

Vincent did spend spring training with the San Francisco Giants before being let go on June 26. Despite his age (34), Vincent continued to look for a spot on the team and wanted to prove that he still has what it takes to be a major league contributor.

The Marlins had 12 relievers on their active roster to begin the regular season, but within a matter of days, 8 of them were sidelined by the virus. By necessity, Vincent was called up from the alternate training site.

His first appearance came on Aug. 5 vs Orioles where he pitched 1 ¹⁄₃ innings and allowed 0 hits and only one walk. Early in the year, Vincent looked like he belonged in the majors.

But as the season progressed, management lost faith. Vincent had a couple of his worst games during the final regular season road trip, giving up six total earned runs in his two appearances against the Braves and Yankees. He had a 5.40 ERA in September and wasn’t even included on the 28-man roster for the NL Wild Card Series against the Cubs. However, Vincent did pitch in NLDS Game 3 (once the Marlins already trailed by a large margin).

Baseball Savant

As the graphic above indicates, Vincent struggled across the board with the quality of his stuff and kind of contact he allowed to opponents. His solid run prevention numbers were helped by some lucky breaks during the season.

Just like in 2019, Vincent relied mostly on his four-seam fastball (used 48% of the time) and cutter (35%), though his changeup usage went up from 3% to 8%.

Used regularly during the season, Vincent pitched over 22 innings, ranking in the top four for Marlins relievers. A stat which did impress over the course of the season was Vincent's ability to limit walks as his walk percentage (6.5 BB%). That made it easier to avoid big innings by preventing his opponents from getting unnecessary baserunners.

Additional Stats

Vincent’s 33.8% ground ball rate was tied with Elieser Hernandez for the lowest on the Marlins pitching staff (among those with min. 20 IP).
He recorded three strikeouts apiece on Sept. 4, Sept. 8 and Sept. 16 but only eight strikeouts in all other appearances combined.

2021 Outlook

Vincent shouldn't be a big priority for the Marlins as there are many options in free agency, including the possibility of re-signing other players for the 2021 season. Now 34 years old and coming off back-to-back 4.30+ ERA seasons, he may find it difficult to get a guaranteed major league deal from any team.

I do not see Vincent returning in 2021 due to age, declining talent and the Marlins youth movement.

2020 Marlins Season Review: Matt Joyce

2020-10-16T07:15:21-04:00

Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports

Given a 1-year deal, the veteran proved he still has something left in the tank.

The Marlins completed their free agent shopping for the 2020 season by signing Matt Joyce to a 1-year, $1.5 million deal along with right-hander Brandon Kintzler. While Kintzler performed this year like the steady veteran that he is, Joyce fell short of what fans were accustomed to.

Baseball-Reference

Joyce’s MLB career stats

The Marlins were Joyce’s 7th MLB team. The 35-year-old arrived with a long track record of hitting right-handed pitching and being a good clubhouse influence—think the role that Curtis Granderson held the previous season.

Although his bat was less powerful that advertised, he did come up with some key highlight plays defensively (mainly in right field).

when @sweetswingin20 makes one incredible on the night: JOYCE!

when he makes a second: RE-JOYCE!!!! pic.twitter.com/vbQ4BEJXXH
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) August 15, 2020

Joyce played a total of 46 out of 60 possible regular season games (76%), including 37 starts—22 at RF, 9 at DH and 6 at LF. That is an accomplishment in the eyes of the Marlins front office considering his age and the fact that he missed the opening series while recuperating from COVID-19.

Last year with the Braves, Joyce had an on-base percentage of .408 which was a career best and a main reason the Marlins signed him. However, for his new team, he dipped to an OBP of .351, the 5th-highest mark on the roster among those with at least 30 games played.

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Joyce’s season came with hot streaks and cold ones as well. From August 17-24, he enjoyed a 7-game hitting streak during the season, bumping his batting average from .231 to .306. Surprisingly during that hitting streak the Marlins had a record of 2-5, which goes to show how weird the season is when you have a hot hitter but still lose 5 out of 7. Joyce capped off that streak with one of his best games of the season, hitting 3-for-6 in a road victory over the Nationals.

In August, Joyce showed Marlins fans why he was once an All-Star, but what makes this a “curious case” is how much he tailed off in September (.227 BA/.325 OBP/.288 SLG) despite continuing to get favorable matchups against right-handers. Understandably, Marlins fans dreaded when they saw Joyce in the starting lineup late in the season and the playoffs.

High Points: 7-game hitting streak from August 17-24; two 3-hit games (Aug 24. vs WSH and Sept. 26 vs NYY); throw to home plate during Game 2 of WCS

What a throw from Matt Joyce

We’re still scoreless on ABC! pic.twitter.com/DIDaqOl4JF
— ESPN (@espn) October 2, 2020

Low Point: Hitting .182 in the postseason, particularly 6th-inning bases-loaded groundout to end scoring threat in NLDS Game 2

2021 Outlook

The Marlins will probably not re-sign Joyce as he is 36 and will be 37 when next August hits—he is in the twilight of his career. For all the individual highlights, his overall defensive metrics were extremely poor as he doesn’t have the first step or the agility to catch fly balls that most outfielders can reach.

Joyce is only a candidate for a minor league deal similar to what the Marlins have done in recent years with the likes of Matt Kemp. He still brings intangibles as a veteran who can teach the younger guys, but even if there’s a reunion, he would receive less playing time than he’s used to.

MIA 2, CHC 0; Marlins sweep Cubs

2020-10-02T19:25:50-04:00

@Marlins/Twitter

Sixto Sánchez and four Marlins relievers combined to shut out the Cubs, clinching the Wild Card Series and advancing to the NLDS for the first time since 2003.

With great pitching performances and clutch hitting, your Miami Marlins remain undefeated in MLB postseason series with a 2-0 win on Friday, sweeping the Chicago Cubs to move on to the NLDS.

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The pitching matchup between the Marlins and Cubs was as advertised—Sixto Sánchez and Yu Darvish both delivered incredible performances in Game 2. Sixto closed the regular season with a couple of shaky outings and needed to find his groove again. That’s exactly what happened today: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K on 89 pitches.

Sixto Sanchez, 100mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/L2IZlePWot
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 2, 2020

There were two times where the game could have flipped—the bottom of the 4th and 5th—but the Marlins overcame those challenges with an amazing throw by Matt Joyce and a bases-loaded fly out, respectively.

In the 7th inning is where the game and ultimately the series was decided. Garrett Cooper hit a home run off Darvish to take a 1-0 lead. It continued after that as Magneuris Sierra (starting in place of the injured Starling Marte) hit a single driving in Lewis Brinson.

The Marlins would not look back from there.

You're not E.T., and you can't go home. pic.twitter.com/M77ULYdsBo
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) October 2, 2020

The bullpen for the Marlins deserves so much credit for today’s win. This performance should boost the confidence of the ‘pen as they move forward to play the Braves and one of the best offenses in the National League. Brad Boxberger, Richard Bleier and Yimi Garcia combined for three hitless frames. Then in the 9th, Brandon Kintzler showed what he is made of by striking out the final 3 batters to propel the team to the next round.

Fish Stripes original GIF

The Marlins have overcome every single odd imaginable. Incredibly, the “Bottom Feeders” are among the final eight MLB teams still fighting for a championship.

The future cannot look any brighter for the Marlins with potential ace Sixto Sánchez, Pablo López and Sandy Alcantara at the helm of the rotation. However, the offense deserves plenty of credit, too. Cooper, Corey Dickerson and Jesús Aguilar each homered against Cubs pitching to make the difference in the two Wild Card Series games, showing that the Fish are capable of hitting when needed. Entering Friday night, MLB teams are a perfect 11-0 during the 2020 postseason when outhomering their opponent.

Here my three stars of the game who helped secure today’s win for the Fish:

Garrett Cooper—1-for-4, homerun to give the Marlins the lead in the 7th
Sixto Sánchez—5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Brandon Kintzler—1.0 IP, 1 H, struck out 3 to send the Marlins to the NLDS

The Marlins WIN!!!

Ridin' into the NLDS thanks to Sixto, Coop, Mags, the bullpen...EVERYBODY. Fish sweep the Cubs.

2 postseason wins so far
11 more for the WS title
☑️☑️

Next up: into the bubble to face the Braves #WHYNOTUS pic.twitter.com/dlngaH2zxj
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) October 2, 2020

The Marlins showed after this win that they are here to stay and will not go down without a fight. Even without regular center fielder Starling Marte, they found a way to win thanks to great pitching, a home run and an incredible throw to the plate.

The Marlins have moved on to the NLDS where they will play the division rival Atlanta Braves inside the MLB bubble in Texas (best-of-5 series). The Marlins will most likely start Pablo López in Game 1 next Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. Also keep in mind, the time off allows Sandy Alcantara to handle that assignment on full rest.

In the meantime, enjoy our first NLDS appearance in 17 YEARS.

Cubs 3B Kris Bryant: “The Marlins were just better than us”
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) October 2, 2020

"And if you don't think the Marlins are bottom feeders,

we'll see what happens, you know, in a couple weeks ..." pic.twitter.com/1PW8otSfdN
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) October 2, 2020

Marlins vs. Cubs Box Score

Fish Picks Answer Key

Marlins
Over
Over
Yes
Marlins

MIA 4, ATL 9; Despite early lead Marlins lose fourth straight

2020-09-23T23:22:48-04:00

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Sixto Sánchez was roughed up by the Braves in his final start of the regular season as Miami’s grip on a playoff spot loosens.

Looking at Wednesday’s pitching matchup on paper, where the Marlins sent their top young pitcher Sixto Sánchez who had an ERA of 2.75 up against Braves ace and legitimate candidate for the NL Cy Young Max Fried with a 1.96 ERA, the game was set up to be a low-scoring affair. But that was not the case tonight between these two talented pitchers.

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The game started strong for the Fish as Jesús Aguilar and Brian Anderson launched monster back-to-back home runs to gain an early lead against the Braves.

TO: BACK

LOVE,
BACK ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NBb0rSFlpd
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 23, 2020

The Marlins’ home runs were the first homers given up by Fried in over 70 innings pitched dating back to last season. That inning showed how badly the Marlins wanted to win this game even against the potential Cy Young winner.

Sixto tonight did not look like his usual dominant self, contending for the NL Rookie of the Year. The young right-hander looked off as if something was missing from his arsenal, he finished tonight with a mediocre line—3.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K on 75 total pitches—averaging 25 pitches per innings pitched and ended with more walks than strikeouts which is never good. The last two games for Sixto have not been great, but we all know the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Overall for Sixto, his rookie season ended up being a bright spot for the Fish as he finished at 3-3 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 39.0 IP and 33 Ks.

Sixto gets his first K on a 92 MPH changeup pic.twitter.com/WsboeaJMtF
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) September 23, 2020

As the game progressed, the Braves scored 3 in the first and 1 in the third inning to give themselves a 4-2 lead. The Marlins did what they have done all season: storm a comeback. Runs scored by Lewis Brinson (who is having the best season of his career since arriving in Miami), and Jon Berti tied things up.

The score would not be tied for long as Josh A. Smith (in relief of Sixto) gave up five runs in the bottom 4th to fall behind 9-4, a deficit which would turn out to be too much. Meanwhile, the Braves bullpen continued to impress, allowing only two runs and four hits covering for Fried (left ankle injury) from the second inning onward.

Tom Glavine takes a look at the fielding play where Max Fried tweaked his left ankle ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/fZcq307ClX
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) September 23, 2020

This was not how the Marlins envisioned the series would shape up, down 3-0 with the final game upcoming tomorrow. A win is needed badly to separate themselves from the Phillies, who closed the gap between themselves and the Fish with an easy win in Washington. The loss today drops the Marlins to 28-28 but they still currently hold the 6th seed in the N.L and could potentially clinch a playoff berth as early as Friday against the Yankees.

Hope should not be lost, Marlins fans, as they look to take the final game of the series tomorrow. Pablo López takes the mound for the last time during the regular season. The game will be at 7:10 p.m. on Thursday with López facing rookie right-hander Ian Anderson.

Marlins vs. Braves Box Score

Fish Picks Answer Key

Sixto
Under
No
No
Braves

WSH 3, MIA 7; 15 hits from the Fish lead to a key win

2020-09-19T23:00:46-04:00

Photo by @dsosaphotography/Fish Stripes

The Marlins took game 3 of their series against the defending world champs, pummeling All-Star Patrick Corbin.

The Marlins came into tonight with a 26-24 record, going up against the Washington Nationals defending World Champs. Coming off Friday’s monster game where Brian Anderson hit 3 home runs the Marlins carried the momentum into tonight by scoring seven runs on 15 hits.

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The night started off with a bang for the Marlins as Miguel Rojas hit his 4th home run of the year at the very top of the first inning. Igniting a lead which they did not look back from the rest of the game, even scoring in 4 straight innings (from the 3rd through 6th).

A LEADER LEADIN' OFF pic.twitter.com/UrGPvmBz0u
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 19, 2020

Pablo López took the mound coming off a tremendous previous start vs. the Phillies, went up against Two-Time All-Star Patrick Corbin, who just like, Pablo pitched 7 innings in his last start.

López started the game lights out for the first three innings, only allowing a single hit against the Nats. Pablo did have trouble in the fourth giving up two hits, walking Asdrúbal Cabrera and Carter Kieboom as well as two runs, which would end being the only runs scored against López.

The night ended up well for Pablo as he pitched 5 ¹⁄₃ innings and striking out seven. His ERA dipped to 3.96 from the 4.02 he had prior to the game.

Tonight’s hero—or should I say heroes—ended up being the bats for the Marlins. In the 3rd inning, Garrett Cooper hit a monster home run against Corbin, his 5th homer of the year overall. The Fish had six players who had two or more hits on the night, including Miggy, who had three hits, bumping his avg up to .347 on the year. Chad Wallach tonight, who got the start over Jorge Alfaro as Wallach has worked better with Pablo in the past, had two hits providing support for his pitcher.

Garrett

gets

GONE.

Alliteration. Nice. pic.twitter.com/7mIDxxQHFc
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 19, 2020

The Marlins ended up being too much for Patrick Corbin, giving up 14 hits and 7 ER in 6 innings pitched. Tom Glavine (1999) and Tim Hudson (2015) are the only pitchers ever to allow more hits to the Marlins in a single game.

The bullpen for the Fish combined for 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 K and 1 BB. Strong performances from the ‘pen are critical as they look forward the postseason. It has been rocky all season long in that department, but Don Mattingly is beginning to find a formula that works. They will need more of the same over the next week to officially punch their ticket to October baseball.

There are 3 players and one non-player who I believe distinguished themselves as the stars of the night for the Fish:

Pablo López—5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 3 BB
Miguel Rojas—3-for-5 , 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R
Garret Cooper—2-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Left Field Ball Guy

Missing fan interference rn. pic.twitter.com/eqOalz2zTX
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 19, 2020

The Marlins proved they are ready for what is ahead, including a doubleheader tomorrow, four games vs. the Braves and the final series vs. the red-hot Yankees who are winners of 10 straight. By winning most of those remaining games, they can end a 17-year postseason drought.

Tomorrow is a crucial pitching matchup as the Marlins will send Sandy Alcantara to face the 3x Cy Young winner Max Scherzer in the doubleheader’s first game. The first pitch will be at 1:10 pm EST. Rookie left-hander Braxton Garrett is the leading candidate to start the second game, though the Marlins would need to recall him from their alternate training site (nothing official yet).

Marlins vs. Nationals Box Score

Fish Picks Answer Key

Corbin
Under
Over
Yes
Marlins

MIA 4, TB 5; Marlins drop first game of series vs. Rays

2020-09-04T23:25:52-04:00

Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports

Key home runs from Aguilar and Dickerson not enough as the Marlins continue to struggle vs. the Rays.

The Marlins came into tonight looking for revenge against Florida rival Tampa Bay Rays, dropping the first game of the series, 5-4. Both teams brought in their top young pitchers in Pablo Lopez for the Fish and Josh Fleming for The Rays.

Pablo Lopez—4.0 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 6K (78 Pitches)
Josh Fleming—5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2K (73 Pitches)

Pablo had a quick first inning by only giving up one hit and striking out two (Choi and Meadows) continuing into the second inning when Yoshi Tsutsugo hit his 6th home run of the year, giving the Rays a 1-0 lead. The Marlins came alive in the third inning when Corey Dickerson hit his 5th home. run of the year, which turned out to be a milestone as it was his 800th career hit. (Congrats, Corey!)

Corey Dickerson sends an opposite-field rocket over the left-field wall.

:FOX Sports Florida
:https://t.co/DrlRNZNqLw #JuntosMiami #MLB pic.twitter.com/fzX1Qtl5HI
— FOX Sports Marlins (@FOXMarlins) September 4, 2020

A Jesús Aguilar home run in the top of the fourth inning gave Miami a 2-1 lead.

But it all turned sideways for the Fish in the bottom half. A Joey Wendle single against López lead to an Austin Meadows Walk after a strikeout for Pablo, Yoshi Tsutsugo hit a single, making the bases loaded. It did not stop there as Pablo walked Kevin Kiermaier with the bases loaded and scored Joey Wendle. A Micheal Perez double bought all the runners home and a 5-2 lead for the Rays.

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There is one thing you should never do and it’s count the Marlins out, which brings the game to the top of the 5th. After a ground out by Miguel Rojas and a pop-up from Corey Dickerson, the Marlins were laser-focused to close the gap. After a Jorge Alfaro walk, a Lewis Brinson single, and a Jon Berti double brings it to a 5-4 deficit and right into range for a fish rally.

Alex Vesia goes ²⁄₃ innings, walking two and one hit, brought in Nick Vincent, who shut down the Rays and looked very impressive with 3 Ks (Vincent entered the night with only 4 total this entire season).

Hitting the ball looked impossible for the Marlins as three straight K’s by Tampa’s Ryan Thompson in the 6th drained Miami of any hope for a rally after such a strong 5th inning. The 7th and 8th innings mirrored each other, although a Matt Joyce pinch-hit double, the Marlins couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. The bullpen tonight for the Marlins,was the strongest it’s ever looked with a combined 4.0 IP, 1 H, 7 K, 4 BB, 0 ER, which should give hope for the rest of the season as the bullpen continues to impress.

If you are a Superman fan, it might be easy to say that the Rays are the Marlins’ Kryptonite so far this season—Miami has actually suffered nine straight defeats in the “Citrus Series” dating back to 2018. To their credit, the Marlins have not given up at any point this season from losing half of their roster and bringing up young players; the Marlins continued to fight just like in today’s game and will look past the loss and ahead to the rest of the weekend.

Sandy Alcantara seeks revenge against the Rays after last week’s matchup, making his second start since his return from the COVID-19 injured list. The Marlins look to reach .500 again against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 pm EST.

Marlins vs. Rays box score

Fish Picks Answer Key

Rays
Under
Over
Yes
Rays