Miami Marlins: 5 key storylines ahead of New York Mets series
Quality starting pitching has allowed the Miami Marlins to stay competitive.
But inconsistent run production and erratic late-inning relief appearances are reasons they are not making up much ground in the National League wild card standings.
Their current 10-game road trip is a prime example. The Marlins were 3-3 on their three-city swing as they headed into a four-game set at the New York Mets that began on Friday.
These four games will be critical in whether they climb closer or fall further back with the trade deadline about six weeks away.
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The Palm Beach Post offers these five takeaways:
Daniel Castano and Braxton Garrett look to solidify the rotation
All that offseason talk about surplus starting pitching is being put to the test. Now Edward Cabrera is on the 15-day injured list with right elbow tendinitis, which created an opening for Daniel Castano to start at Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon.
Castano stepped up, tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Citizens Bank Park. The left-hander was in line for the win, but the bullpen blew the game in the ninth in a 3-1 loss.
Braxton Garrett, a first-round pick in 2016, picked up a win at Houston on June 11, hurling 5 2/3 shutout innings. This is a big opportunity for both southpaws to show they belong.
Trevor Rogers, the third lefty in the rotation, has struggled and prospect Max Meyer recently came off the minor league injured list. Meyer is building back up.
Elieser Hernandez, who was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville recently, is available but has struggled at the big-league level. If Castano and Garrett perform, they likely will stay in the revamped rotation.
Playing it carefully with Pablo Lopez
Pablo Lopez has been one of the top starters in the National League, boasting a 4-2 record and 2.30 ERA.
The 26-year-old has 72 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings. Having Sandy Alcantara and Lopez at the top of the rotation puts the Marlins in an enviable position.
Now, there’s concern because Lopez is dealing with a bruised right wrist. The injury occurred when he was struck by a batted ball on June 10 at the Astros.
He had a June 15 start pushed back. A few days ago, his throwing session didn’t go well, according to manager Don Mattingly.
The hope is he will be available this weekend at the Mets. Lopez has dealt with injuries in the past, mostly his right shoulder.
A year ago, he logged 102 2/3 innings total, and his career high for innings is 111 1/3 in 2019.
Closer spotlight on Tanner Scott
What started out as a closer by committee has turned into more save chances for Tanner Scott. For the most part, the southpaw has been effective.
But often with closers, it’s the ones who get away who draw the most public attention.
That happened on Wednesday when Scott surrendered a two-out, three-run homer to Garrett Stubbs on a 2-2 pitch.
Scott threw Stubbs five straight sliders. That’s the curious part of the story. Why so many sliders in a row?
Scott's four-seam fastball averages 96.4 mph. Why not at least mix in one heater?
Statistically, Scott throws his slider 72.6% of the time, per Statcast. While going with your best pitch is a good idea, Scott could have set up that pitch better.
By showing Stubbs at least one fastball, even if it is for a ball, it plants the seed for Stubbs to think fastball. Instead, he could just sit on a slider. The result cost Miami a game.
The blown save was his first of the season. He’s now 5-of-6 in save chances.
Miguel Rojas remains a steady performer
Often referred to as the “unofficial Marlins captain,” Rojas is a team leader and a true professional in the clubhouse and on the field.
The veteran shortstop also became a fan target on social media for his reported involvement in a June 7, 90-minute heated team meeting.
Specifics have been sketchy on what exactly was talked about, but reports have stated stylish second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. was a subject of conversation.
Since that meeting, the Marlins are 6-3, and Rojas has been becoming more productive. While his overall numbers are a modest .223 batting average with five home runs and 16 RBIs, Rojas went 4-for-10 with a homer in the three games at the Phillies.
Per FanGraphs, Rojas’ 0.8 fWAR, ranks 13th among all MLB shortstops. Not great, but more middle of the pack than at the bottom.
For example, Javier Baez of the Tigers has a -0.3 fWAR, and is 21st.
Rojas is a career .262 hitter, and if he stays healthy, he probably will finish the season around that number.
Nick Fortes, Jacob Stallings catching duo
After having a career year in 2021 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jacob Stallings was dealt to the Marlins in the fall.
Expectations were high for Stallings, a Gold Glove-winning catcher a year ago. But in spacious loanDepot park, his offensive numbers have tailed off.
He’s hitting .204 with an identical on-base and slugging percentages (.272). Stallings did hit a key three-run homer against the Phillies in Tuesday’s comeback win. He now has two homers in 147 at-bats.
Nick Fortes, his backup, has shown the ability to make an impact at the plate.
Since being promoted from Triple-A Jacksonville on May 27, Fortes has two homers in nine games and 24 at-bats.
Fortes has been getting more action of late, especially catching prospects he handled in the minor leagues, like Castano on Wednesday.
Backup catchers tend to get midweek, day game and Sunday assignments. Fortes could put himself in a two or three days a week starting situation.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Marlins not making up ground in National League wild card race
