They started the season badly, but there has been a total reversal of fortune for the Marlins and Mets. Sure, the Mets opened up their season by beating up on the Marlins – I was there Opening Day and watched Mark Hendrickson get schlacked. And yes, the Mets took two of three from the Marlins in this past series, but the Marlins still sit atop the NL East at a very nice 30-22 record.

After 52 games, almost 1/3 of the season, the Marlins are showing some staying power.

By the way, I picked the Marlins to get 87-90 wins this season. Looks like I am on pace to get that from this team as they only have to go 57 -  52 the rest of the way to hit that mark.

This road trip is a 10 game run in 11 days and will prove to be their toughest test of the early part of the season. They dropped the last 2 of the 3 game series with the Mets – Justin Miller’s inability to throw strikes really killed the Marlins’ chances of salvaging a series win. Tonight they will open a three game series with the Philadelphia Phillies, their long-time NL East rivals. Surely Jeff Conine will be watching – wish it was from the bench.

If the Marlins can win this series and the Braves series (which is 4 games) they will have proven themselves the class of the NL East and the team to beat. Yet, they only really need to go 5-5 to maintain their win percentage and keep their +/- at 9 games over .500.

Yet, who would have thunk that 2 months into this, the Marlins will be in first place? Certainly not fans of the Mets or even the Phillies, let alone fans of the Nationals. And here they are.