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The Marlins enter as the undisputed worst team in the National League, sporting a 43-70 record to go along with a league worst -89 run differential. They've lost five in a row and seven of their last ten. Although Miami is by no stretch a good team, they do have a good number of exciting young players that make them at least palatable to watch on a daily basis.
Looking at Miami's offense, there's nothing to write home about. The Marlins rank last in the National League in batting average (..232), on-base average (.291), slugging percentage (.333), wOBA (.277), wRC+ (71), Isolated power (.102) and home runs (64). They are 13th in walk rate (6.7%) and 11th in strikeout rate (19.5%).
Individually, it all starts with Giancarlo Stanton, although he has scuffled this year. Stanton enters with a triple slash .243/.357/.456 with a .357 wOBA and a 127 wRC+. He leads the team in home runs with 13. First baseman Logan Morrison checks in at .275/.358/.444 with .349 wOBA and 122 wRC+. Third baseman Ed Lucas has the third-highest fWAR on the team (.0.8) while hitting just .250/.318/.315, while Justin Ruggiano shares the same fWAR and is hitting .197/.276/.359. He is second on the team in home runs with 12.
Rookie Christian Yelich has been hitting leadoff for the Marlins lately, and he's going to be a really good player in time. If you missed it, check out his backside homer off of Gerrit Cole yesterday. So far, he's hitting .318/.366/.439 in 16 big league games. Fellow rookie outfielder Jake Marisnick is having a much tougher go of things to begin his Major League career. He's hitting just .192/.236/.269 so far with one homer in 15 games.
Pitching matchups:
Friday August 9th, 7:30 PM ET. Fox Sports South
Saturday August 10th, 7:10 PM ET. Fox Sports South.
Sunday August 11th, 1:35 PM ET. Fox Sports South.
