Seems Fredi tricked himself with his moves: in the top of the 8th Chris Coghlan was slated to come out of LF for Alejandro De Aza, who batted for Reynel Pinto in a double switch. De Aza never came into the game and with Coghlan in LF, once Leo Nunez threw a pitch, Girardi came out of the Yankees dugout to protest the game. The Marlins had a 6-3 lead at the time.

Seems the intrigue was for naught as the Marlins held on to win 6-5 and arguably, it wasn’t because of any unfair advantage brought on by the mix up. In fact, Girardi joked he would like to uphold the protest and retain the two runs they gained to drop the lead from 6-3 to 6-5. A ruling will come this week about the matter but it should not overturn the result. Just seems like the Yankees, even if they have just cause, really are just being a bit sour about the result of this weekend’s series with the Fish. Stay tuned to see if the Yankees can rob a result from the Marlins, but it looks highly unlikely at this stage.

Don't Swim Alone! Share!

• 

Yesterday’s 5-4 win in the 11th inning of a Ross Gload slapshot to right field gave the Marlins temporary relief in a series where they just looked overmatched. Take Carl Crawford, for example – in the top of the ninth inning he stole 2B on the first pitch to the hitter after him. The Marlins knew he would and even called for a pitchout – and Crawford still beat the throw.

The Rays scored runs – the Marlins did not. The Rays pitched better and fielded better. Up to this point in the season, the Marlins had been in pretty much every game and hadn’t been blown out. Well, now they have seen that happen twice and to their credit, they fought back and held on long enough to squeeze a win out yesterday.

If this is a sign of things to come, then the Marlins are quickly going in the other direction. The fact that they have now only gone 9-25 since their 11-1 start should send a front office into panic mode. This has yet to happen.

You have to wonder if anything will. The Marlins are going to square off against another rival – the Philadelphia Phillies. Incidentally, the team that beat the Rays in the World Series last year. A great opportunity to really evaluate where the Marlins are heading this season.

Don't Swim Alone! Share!

• 

Instead, something historical happened: the home run was called off.

The umpiring crew got together and discussed possibly overturning the call then reviewed the play. Upon further review, the ball flew to the right of the foul pole and Gload’s home run turned into a long strike. Gload would eventually strike out and the Marlins’ efforts vanished.

This is the first time in Major League history that an umpiring crew overturned a home run upon using the opportunity to review the play. Even though it went against the Marlins, it was the right call.

Yet there was an actual home run that proved to be historical for the Marlins, Chris Coghlan hit his first ever home run as a pro.

The rookie was called up in order to replace Cameron Maybin’s spot in the outfield and as one of the better prospects in the Marlins’ system has garnered some immediate playing time. The lefty can hit for average and has shown patience at the plate. In AA last season he struck out 65 times but walked 67. He has a little pop, too, hitting 7 home runs last year and 12 in 2007. He was called up from AAA New Orleans while hitting .344 with 3 home runs in 96 at bats. He calls to mind another Marlins outfielder with great plate patience and a lefty bat, Mark Kotsay. The rookie will get playing time and with some struggling outfielders, Coghlan could help the Marlins regain some offensive prowess.

Don't Swim Alone! Share!

• 

The Marlins can climb above .500 all time on opening day with a win against the Washington Nationals Monday, currently sitting at 8-8 all-time. Coach Fredi Gonzalez has announced his batting order for tomorrow’s 4:05 start and might look something like this:

Lineup:
3B Emilio Bonifacio
C John Baker
SS Hanley Ramirez
1B Jorge Cantu
2B Dan Uggla
LF Jeremy Hermida
RF Cody Ross
CF Cameron Maybin
P Ricky Nolasco

What to watch:
Most of the success this season is riding on how Nolasco’s right elbow holds up. Entering his fourth season, Nolasco picked up a slider last year and resulted in a 15 win breakthrough season with 186 strikeouts. A big feat for a pitcher who missed his sophomore season due to right elbow inflammation.  His 2006 rookie campaign went over unassuming with an 11-11 record and a mediocre 4.86 ERA. So there isn’t much to predict for the ’09 season based on his past, but Nolasco thinks he can emerge as a household name.  Nolasco is ready to emerge as a top pitcher in ’09

Second is how Maybin handles centerfield and Bonifiacio at third fare. We’ve heard a lot this spring about how Maybin’s name could be a frontrunner for NL Rookie of Year. I say just prove you can play everyday Cam. The hot corner could be a weakness this season and we’ll see right off the gate as the Nats were fourth among NL teams this spring with nearly one and a half more ground outs. Also watch how Bonifiacio will handle the lead off spot…but just against rightys. “Since Bonifacio’s career average hitting right-handed is markedly worse, Gonzalez did not rule out having Cameron Maybin lead off against left-handers.”

Other defensive moves to keep an eye on is Hermida at left and Cantu at first. Cantu has handled first base before and shouldn’t be much of a concern but Hermida has looked foreign at times in left.

Other notes I have; we’ll see how many innings Nolasco goes and who takes the mound after his depature.“If you get great starting pitching and the back-end guys don’t do the job, it’s disheartening. That’s our biggest question mark right now. There’s no getting around it.”

Matt Lindstrom will be ready to pitch tomorrow if it’s a save situation On March 15, while pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, he exited a game against The Netherlands due to a right rotator cuff strain.

My guess is Leo Nunez (acquired for Mike Jacobs) will see some action tomorrow.

The Nats will send a young 24-year old to the mound in John Lannan. He had a 3.91 ERA in 31 starts before finishing with a 9-15 record. He typically keeps the ball down and was cruising for a strong spring before getting rocked in his last outing. Lannan let up seven runs in a 90-pitch outing through 4 2/3  innings Manny Acta said, “He found it very strange that John couldn’t throw any of his pitches for strikes, not even that sinker that he usually can go back to when he is struggling with the changeup and breaking ball. I told Bard that he usually has a day like that once every two months.”

So what’s everybody’s plan for opening day? How many are going and where are you sitting? If you’re not able to go how do you plan on following the action? MLB.com makes it easier than every to watch ball games online.

Any favorite Opening Day memories? Playing in South Florida has blessed us with 12 home starts to the seson. (One year we traveled up to old Olympic Stadium in Montreal to start the season). Good call on that one right?

Join us!

Talk Opening Day with us over at the forum!

Don't Swim Alone! Share!

• 

Well, at least by me. Never been there – went to Yankee Stadium instead. There is nothing that seemed to stand out about Shea except that stupid apple that would light up when the Mets hit home runs.

Too bad it didn’t light up for the last two home runs hit there – one by Wes Helms and one by Dan Uggla. Both home runs pushed the Marlins past the Mets and also propelled the Brewers, officially, into the postseason.

And as Cameron Maybin squeezed his glove around the final out – a pop fly to center field from Ryan Church – the Marlins claimed the win. The boos showered down from the Mets faithful who looked more like a photo op from an enema convention. The signs went up asking for miracles and paging for Dr. Heimlich. The smiles for the Marlins were a bit wider than normal because this victory had some sweetness to it – for the second straight year they eliminated the Mets from the playoffs on their field.

Seems like the Fish own the place. Might as well blow it up and tear it down. The Mets, in their 44 year history there, mustered as many titles as the Marlins have in their brief history.

So, for neither team the season ended as they would have wished. Still, the Marlins climbed to 84 wins (and possibly could have had 85 wins if not for a game that was called against the Nationals) which isn’t bad considering they only have a $22M payroll. With 17 arbitration eligible players on their roster heading into the offseason, it is expected that there will be changes. The payroll is expected to go up, so that is good news.

And so is how the Marlins season ended – they look to be in contention next season. Destroying the Mets season for the second straight season isn’t half bad either.

Don't Swim Alone! Share!

• 

Only, these past three games are more vital for the Mets than the Marlins, still, it is a joy to watch the Marlins screw up the Mets’ season once again.

With a win on Friday, the Marlins essentially put all New York fans on suicide watch – yet the Mutts bounced back by running out their ace Johan Santana on three days rest. Such is this time of year where urgency wins out over sensibility. Still, the Marlins were held to only 3 hits and had a chance at the end of the game. With a man on, Cody Ross gave a charge into a fly ball that ended up at the warning track at Shea. Met fans were relived twofold – they finally won against the Marlins in this crucial series, but the Brewers lost as well.

As of now, the Brewers and Mutts are tied for first place in the wild card race. The Brewers will take on the Cubs at 2:05pm this afternoon while the Mets will look to squeeze by the Marlins today at 1:10pm.

It could also be the final game at Shea – and how great would it be for the Marlins to not only trash the Mets season by stealing a win from them, but also to leave Met fans with their final impression of Shea being yet another choke job that cost them their season.

They wouldn’t be able to hit the demolition button quick enough.

One game determines the fortune of one team – a win today and the Mets possibly stay alive for a playoff spot. A loss and it could mean the end of their season, the end of their coaching staff’s tenure, and the ultimate end of Shea Stadium. How sweet a win would be for the Marlins today.

Don't Swim Alone! Share!

• 

The fact of the matter is, when you have a team payroll hovering around $28M, you are bound to have flaws. The biggest flaw, it seems, was really the Marlins were not able to get their starters healthy until almost after the first half of the season.

Still, there is plenty to play for. Jorge Cantu has 3 games to hit home run number 30 and join the 30 HR club with his fellow infielders Dan Uggla, Mike Jacobs and Hanley Ramirez. This infield has already set history, but to surpass the 30 HR mark with each member would be a most  impressive feat.

Then there is the fact that we are playing the Mets, who are in the midst of a wild card hunt themselves. Sitting 1 game behind the Phillies for the NL East title, the Marlins can help the Phillies stay there by winning two games against the Mets. Talk about bitter sweet. Thankfully for Philly fans, there is an incentive for the Marlins to play well – they could also spoil the Mets season, again, by pushing them out of the wild card spot which they currently share with the Brewers. Also competing for the NL Wild card are the Astros, who were swept by the Marlins recently.

Nothing would be sweeter, except to end up in the postseason of course. And may Cody Ross hit a home run off of Pelfrey tonight.

Don't Swim Alone! Share!

• 

Well, yeah, Game 7 of the World Series, sure. Been there done that, right Marlins fans? 1997? Well, this series with the Phillies could define our season. It could be our playoffs. With a sweep, we can stay alive as the season winds down here in 2008. Lose the series, either only winning one game or less, and it is bye bye October.

For the Marlins to play baseball in the fall, they will need to avoid falling here and take it to their division rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies. No brotherly love here, either. By beating the Phillies the Marlins gain extra ground, making up whole games at a time against the current NL East leaders. In contrast, losing means double jeopardy as the Marlins would fall back a game.

Right now, the Marlins are 5.5 games in back of the Phillies for the NL East title. A loss tonight would propel them back to 6.5 – but a win…4.5 back. And still 2 more games left plus a slated matchup with the Mets on the horizon.

The Marlins have 10 games to build on something they have been doing all season – exceeding expectations. They have been picked to be among the worst teams in baseball – which goes to show you how closely the talking heads really follow their own sport. So, no matter what, this season is a success although I would like to see the Fish finish over .500.

But why not? Why not go for the glory? Is there any franchise more threatening in the post season than the Marlins? Every time they have snuck in under the radar and won the whole darned thing. Why not try it again? Why can’t we be this year’s Rockies? Are we really to believe that the Mets and Phillies are iron-clad locks to finish the season atop the NL East? No one is at this moment, as the Mets showed signs of choking but the Phillies are the 2nd hottest team in baseball right now with a 7 game win streak.

Whose the hottest? Your Florida Marlins – with an 8 game binge. The only question is, will it be hot enough? Tonight, something has to give.

Don't Swim Alone! Share!

• 

The Marlins have begun their plans to build a new ballpark on the site of the old Orange Bowl – in fact all that stands now is the scoreboard. In designing their new park, they have taken feedback from fans to gauge where they are with their ideas. On June 24th, representatives from Miami and Dade County will get together with the Marlins and hammer out what will be the final design – which will be released to the public.

Safeco Field, launched in 1999, has a retractable roof and a more modern design – it does use elements that harken back to the old days of baseball in its architectural homage. With the Marlins touring the Mets new stadium construction as well as Houston’s Minute Maid park and other ballparks as they go on the road, you can bet that Safeco is being toured as well.

What are some of the key elements the Marlins are looking to incorporate? For starters, the stadium will serve as a destination for gatherings year round, not just during baseball season. And the Marlins would like to redevelop the area around Little Havana in order to make the baseball games more like events that are not just three hour baseball games. This would also help regulate traffic flow and also allow for the Marlins to draw fans to the games from areas that are further away.

According to the Mariners web site, Safeco Field has several of these elements in place. The Marlins could do well to take notice.

Don't Swim Alone! Share!

• 

Hunt/Moss is a joint venture that consists of Hunt Construction Group and Moss and Associates who are based in south Florida and have lots of experience working in the market. Hunt Construction has built several stadiums in the past and is currently ranked by Engineering News-Record as the top company for sports. Moss and Associates are a construction management and design firm that is the 2nd largest in Florida.

The architect firm for the new stadium is H.O.K. Sport.

As of yet, the designs have not been made public but rumors abound about the design. Stay tuned as we get more details.

It was reported elsewhere that Hunt Construction was the only firm to respond with a bid, but other firms were scheduled to be interviewed back on May 29th.

Don't Swim Alone! Share!

•