Views From The Cheap Seats – July 20th, 2017

Miami, FL – The Fighting Fish look more like fish sticks as the Marlins were unable to capitalize on the Phillies coming to town. Despite winning the opening game, we proceeded to lose the next two in dismal fashion. Let’s start with the good. Our power hitting roared to life as the team smashed not 1 not 2 but 3 ding dong’s courtesy of Giancarlo Stanton and Justin Bour. To put this in perspective, the team had zero homers in Dodgers series. The game went into extras as Dee “The Flash” Gordon delivered on a 2-out, bases loaded walk-off to break the 3 game losing streak. Now for the bad.

Not bad for a Monday. 😉#FISHWIN! pic.twitter.com/bTzsn0J4QO

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 18, 2017

Despite the continued power surge from Stanton, smacking number 29 over the fence, the bats just sputtered recording only 5 hits to the Phillies’ 13. Adam Conley for his part, only allowed 2 runs in 6 innings of work but a pair of homers in the eighth and ninth broke the 2-2 tie and sunk the Marlins 5-2. Sweeping Philadelphia was no longer an option but winning the series was still possible. Notice we’re still in the bad section of this sad comedy. It gets worse.

The serviceable Dan Straily took to the mound against rookie Nick Pivetta, who prior to the game was sporting a 2-5 record with an ERA of over 5.00. Good matchup against the WORST team in the league, right? Straily lasted 5 giving up 4 runs while Nick Wittgren and Vance Worley gave up 3 runs apiece. The final score? 10-3 Phillies despite long balls from Stanton and Christian Yelich. The visitors knocked in 20 hits. 20. Hits. Say it ain’t so Suzy.

Star Performances of the Series

The only player worth noting in this unmitigated disaster was arguably the current face of sports in South Florida, Giancarlo Stanton. The behemoth ripped 4 homers in the series, tying him with Aaron Judge for first in the league with 30 homeruns. Absolutely epic. And now ladies and gentlemen, for the ugly.

.@Giancarlo818‘s philosophy: live every day like it’s the Home Run Derby. 💣#StantonSmash | #LetsGoFish pic.twitter.com/MUPMrVmDxM

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 19, 2017

Here are some numbers for you: Since All-Star Break we’ve been outhit 68-46. We’ve been outscored 36-18. For the season, we’ve scored 428 runs and have allowed 465 runs. Through 6 games, the ratio of innings pitched between the starters and the bullpen is just about even. The rotation notching 29 innings and the relievers logging 26. Ouch. I mean guys, guys, guys… these aren’t playoff stats. Stanton ain’t happy. I’m not happy, you’re not happy, no one is happy. Never mind, someone IS happy: Our opponents. Heading into the break we stood at 41-46. A mere 5 games below .500. After a horrific home-stand losing 5 of 6 games, we now stand at 42-51, 15 games behind the Nationals and 12 out from the last Wild Card spot. The Dodgers series really set us back and the hope was with the Phillies this was our chance to mount a comeback to have ANY shot of dreaming of the post-season or at the very least a run at the playoffs. Philly was our momentum shift, our springboard, our last stand. We’re on the ropes gentlemen and the worst may yet to come.

Assuming the higher-ups were thinking of moving some pieces to make us more competitive, this implosion at home might’ve erased any hope of avoiding a serious rebuild, a fire sale. We’ve really become sellers in every sense of the word with the vultures circling around the body that is the team as we know it. And boy, are there plenty.

Winter is coming, and it might be merciless.

Despite management stating that they wish to retain the core of the team, the calls are coming and with the deadline approaching, in increasingly frequency. The Phillies are interested in Yelich, Stanton and Dee Gordon, who is also being targeted by the Blue Jays. The St. Louis Cardinals are also interested in Yelich and Ozuna. As of Wednesday night, 10 teams were interested in David Phelps, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Now that Todd Frazier went to the Yankees, you can count on the Boston Red Sox to ramp up their efforts to get Martin Prado as a back-up plan. Or at least they would have, with Prado’s new injury his trade value just tanked as bad as our record.

Regardless of the rumors, the Marlins failed to seize on a great opportunity to get back on track and now we’re looking at the grim reality that not only is the season lost, but so is the team. Winter is coming, and it might be merciless. Until next time, stay frosty.

Stat of the Week

The legend himself, Ichiro Suzuki, struck his 3,056 hit on Tuesday passing Rickey Henderson for sole possession of #23 on the MLB’s all-time list. Bravo man, take a bow.

Ichiro records hit No. 3,056, passing Rickey Henderson for sole possession of 23rd on @MLB’s all-time list. pic.twitter.com/xfxcFz2MzN

— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) July 19, 2017

Prospect Watch

Brian Anderson crushed his second homer, launching a 3-run beauty for the New Orleans Baby Cakes Wednesday night, he is now batting .286. The guy plays third and could be an interesting call up in September. Or sooner, depending on how the trades shake down.

Upcoming Games

Cincinnati Reds: July 21-23 (Away)

Texas Rangers: July 24-26 (Away)

Views from the Cheap Seats is a biweekly segment where a Miami raised sports nut recaps, screams and analyses a week’s worth of games giving a toast, or the finger, to his hometown team depending on their performance. A truly hopeful but always realistic fan putting thoughts to pen to paper and always striving to improve. Be bold, be good, be you.

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