Comeback Kids

The Florida Marlins are trying to come back from a disastrous 2007 season. If the team’s history has its way, the Marlins would finish and get the Wild Card playoff spot. Florida has won both of its World Series from the wild card spot. They have also won both after shocking season twists that found them in the playoffs. Anybody playing the team in the post season has to know that luck seems to always favor the Marlins.

Despite the Marlins success, they have had to share Dolphins Stadium since the beginning of their existence. This may have something to do with the fact that the economical team tears apart its roster after winning those World Series. Team management is simply not willing to spend the money to sustain a championship caliber team for a run at a dynasty. The Florida Marlins are not the New York Yankees.

This season that is proving to be so again, as the Marlins are making a run at the wild card in the National League east as the Phillies continue last season’s tear. Florida is winning at Dolphins by scoring runs with timely hitting, meaning that the batting average is not that impressive, but the runs totals, slugging percentage, and on base percentage plus slugging percentage (OPS).

Short stop Hanley Ramirez and second baseman Dan Uggla are providing excellent defense turning double plays and leading the offensive charge. Jorge Cantu adds some glove and bat at third. The three young stars in the making look poised to take the Marlins to the World Series before they are traded off for more young talent to keep the cycle going. Uggla appears to be a real gem. Power hitting second basemen are hard to come by so he will probably see time in many All Star games in a different uniform after all is said and done.

The pitching is definitely benefiting for the hitting. Scott Olsen and Ricky Nolasco have decent ERAs when considering the humidity around Miami, but Andrew Miller and Mark Hendrickson still need to learn some control before the team will return to the playoffs.

The Marlins get to bring exciting MLB baseball to Miami Miami every five to six years and this year appears to potentially be the year.