Can the Mariners Catch the Marlins?

Due to some issues, this article was unable to be posted in advance of the series.

There has been a lot going on sports-wise in Miami: the Heat in the NBA finals and Lionel Messi verbally committing to Inter Miami. Perhaps this road trip is well-timed for the Marlins and the Mariners will be glad to be home.

The Marlins (37-29) are second in the National League East between Atlanta (40-25) and Philadelphia (32-33). The Mariners (31-33) are fourth in the American League West between the Angels (36-31) and Oakland (17-50).

Miami has played several National League teams that the Mariners have not encountered, but their series performances have been similar against Cleveland, Atlanta (one series), and the Cubs (one series); better against the Phillies, the Cubs (another series); and worse than the Mariners against Colorado, Atlanta (another series) and Oakland.

Mariners vs Marlins: Pitching Matchups

The Marlins’ pitching is 15th in MLB for ERA and the Mariners are 11th. These are the likely matchups for the Miami visit.

Monday, June 12 RHP Bryce Miller (4.46 ERA, 19 runs and 33 strikeouts in 38.1 innings pitched) v. LHP Jesus Luzardo (3.79 ERA, 32 runs and 86 strikeouts in 73.2 IP)

Tuesday, June 13 RHP George Kirby (3.50 ERA, 29 runs and 61 strikeouts in 74.2 IP) v. RHP Edward Cabrera (4.29 ERA, 30 runs and 80 strikeouts in 63 IP)

Wednesday, June 14 RHP Luis Castillo (2.70 ERA, 27 runs and 92 strikeouts in 76.2 IP) v. RHP Eury Perez (ERA 2.17, 8 runs and 30 strikeouts in 29 IP)

The Mariners’ starting and bullpen pitchers will give them an advantage. Batters like Teoscar Hernandez will also help.

Mariners vs Marlins: Hitting Matchups

I anticipate that this will be the lineup for the Marlins with position and batting averages listed. Luis Arraez has been in the news for his high batting average, about .400!

C: Nick Fortes (.229) / Jacob Stallings (.161)
1B: Yuli Gurriel (.261) / Garrett Cooper (.238)
2B: Luis Arraez (.397)   / Xavier Edwards (.381)
SS: Joey Wendle (.239) / Jon Berti (.263)
3B: Jean Segura (.258) / Berti
LF: Bryan De La Cruz (.295)
CF: Jonathan Davis (.283) /Garret Hampson (.243) / Jass Chisholm (.229)
RF: Jesus Sanchez (.275) / Hampson
DH: Jorge Soler (.258) / Garrett Cooper (.238)

Miami has an advantage in hitting as they are ranked seventh for cumulative batting average and the Mariners are ranked twenty-sixth. Ty France, Julio Rodriguez, J.P. Crawford, and Teoscar Hernandez have been getting hotter.

Being back home will give Seattle players an edge overall, however, offensively and defensively. I do think that the Mariners can catch the Marlins!

Go Mariners!