Florida Marlins Preview
Win Total (5dimes)
Over 81 +105
Under 81 -125
The Marlins won 87 games last year and finished 5 games out of a wild card spot in 2009. Seems like every year the young scrappy Marlins are never given a shot but they're always are in the mix come August and September.
Whats to Like: I think what people fail to take into consideration when they look at the Marlins is their Star Power. I'm not talking so-so Star power like Evan Longoria or James Shields, I'm talking Hall of Fame potential Star Power like Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson. Although baseball is a team sport, it usually takes Superstars to lead a team to the next level. Just look what Bobblehead Bonds on the juice (greatest player ever when on the juice) did for a below-average Giants team, he almost won them a title by himself. This is why a solid all around team like the Rays end up winning the same amount of games as a Marlins team that seems to have so many holes. Here's the difference though, the Rays will just stay very good, the Marlins will fill their holes and become Great. Will they fill these voids this year? No one knows for sure but like a big earthquake in Cali, it gonna happen soon. And as a bettor you want to be prepared for when this happens.
Another nice thing about the Marlins is they have pieces everywhere. Young talent is all over the place in this organization, if Cameron Maybin struggles or gets hurt in center, they can just move C.Ross over from right field and plug in the next big thing, 20 year old Mike Stanton. Last year it was LF Chris Coghlan who came up big and showed he is here to stay, leading all of baseball with 113 hits after the break. One way or another their outfield will be nice.
After ace J.Johnson who just signed a 4 year extension, they have 2 talented arms that must stay healthy for the marlins to have any chance. R.Nolasco and A.Sanchez. I would not want to face this club in a short series with these 3 arms.
The Marlins have a nice catching platoon in J.Baker and R.Paulino.
Whats Not to Like: So G.Sanchez and young prospect L.Morrison are battling in spring for the first base job, meanwhile you have a guy that hits .260 with 30 HR's standing 30 feet to their right in "second baseman" Dan Uggla. Why not just make this guy the first baseman and let the other guys wait a couple years. If Uggla is too short to play first, then move him to third and let Cantu play first... If you cant tell I don't like Uggla at second, especially when you have a guy like bonifacio who can move.
OK, now lets get down to the real problem in Florida, Pitching. This is a big part of that "void' i was talking about earlier. They have about 5 guys that are looking to fill the 4th and 5th spot in the rotation. A.Miller is supposed to be a stud one day but isn't coming along as fast as they'd like. Volstad and Vandenhurk are good about half the time, kinda like Deuce's posting. The bullpen is below average and needs to be reworked during the season for the Marlins to have any shot with the Phillies and Braves in their division.
I have about as much faith in closer Leo Nunez as I do in whatsgood5 paying his debts..
Recap: Most will overlook these guys because the Braves and Phillies are expected to control this division....I'd advise everyone to take the Marlins Over 81 Wins at +105. This is by no means a lock but they are seriously an arm or two away from 90 wins. I promise you that you'll have fun rooting this one home, these guys are fun to watch.
Win Total (5dimes)
Over 81 +105
Under 81 -125
The Marlins won 87 games last year and finished 5 games out of a wild card spot in 2009. Seems like every year the young scrappy Marlins are never given a shot but they're always are in the mix come August and September.
Whats to Like: I think what people fail to take into consideration when they look at the Marlins is their Star Power. I'm not talking so-so Star power like Evan Longoria or James Shields, I'm talking Hall of Fame potential Star Power like Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson. Although baseball is a team sport, it usually takes Superstars to lead a team to the next level. Just look what Bobblehead Bonds on the juice (greatest player ever when on the juice) did for a below-average Giants team, he almost won them a title by himself. This is why a solid all around team like the Rays end up winning the same amount of games as a Marlins team that seems to have so many holes. Here's the difference though, the Rays will just stay very good, the Marlins will fill their holes and become Great. Will they fill these voids this year? No one knows for sure but like a big earthquake in Cali, it gonna happen soon. And as a bettor you want to be prepared for when this happens.
Another nice thing about the Marlins is they have pieces everywhere. Young talent is all over the place in this organization, if Cameron Maybin struggles or gets hurt in center, they can just move C.Ross over from right field and plug in the next big thing, 20 year old Mike Stanton. Last year it was LF Chris Coghlan who came up big and showed he is here to stay, leading all of baseball with 113 hits after the break. One way or another their outfield will be nice.
After ace J.Johnson who just signed a 4 year extension, they have 2 talented arms that must stay healthy for the marlins to have any chance. R.Nolasco and A.Sanchez. I would not want to face this club in a short series with these 3 arms.
The Marlins have a nice catching platoon in J.Baker and R.Paulino.
Whats Not to Like: So G.Sanchez and young prospect L.Morrison are battling in spring for the first base job, meanwhile you have a guy that hits .260 with 30 HR's standing 30 feet to their right in "second baseman" Dan Uggla. Why not just make this guy the first baseman and let the other guys wait a couple years. If Uggla is too short to play first, then move him to third and let Cantu play first... If you cant tell I don't like Uggla at second, especially when you have a guy like bonifacio who can move.
OK, now lets get down to the real problem in Florida, Pitching. This is a big part of that "void' i was talking about earlier. They have about 5 guys that are looking to fill the 4th and 5th spot in the rotation. A.Miller is supposed to be a stud one day but isn't coming along as fast as they'd like. Volstad and Vandenhurk are good about half the time, kinda like Deuce's posting. The bullpen is below average and needs to be reworked during the season for the Marlins to have any shot with the Phillies and Braves in their division.
I have about as much faith in closer Leo Nunez as I do in whatsgood5 paying his debts..
Recap: Most will overlook these guys because the Braves and Phillies are expected to control this division....I'd advise everyone to take the Marlins Over 81 Wins at +105. This is by no means a lock but they are seriously an arm or two away from 90 wins. I promise you that you'll have fun rooting this one home, these guys are fun to watch.