For the first time since the team’s re-branding, the Miami Marlins are in serious contention for a playoff spot. As they march towards the trade deadline, most speculation has tied them to a starter, a definite position of need. If they want to remain in their current position, the Marlins need rotation stability above all else.
Miami Marlins Need Rotation Stability
Fernandez’s Consistency Shows Growth
Jose Fernandez has been the driving force behind this Marlins ball club. Without his 11-4 record, the Fish might sit only two games over .500, at a hypothetical 41-39. With his brilliance this season, to the tune of a 2.09 FIP, comes the continuation of his improvement. Fernandez went seven innings in eight of his last eleven starts prior to the All-Star Break. During that run, the Santa Clara, Cuba native reached double-digit strikeouts five times.
Blips on the radar happen with Fernandez; a pair of starts during this streak saw him get touched up for four and six runs, respectively. After an early season propensity for premature departures from the mound, the Marlins are in desperate need for him to maintain his recent consistency.
Conley’s Emergence Covers Other Deficiencies
Undoubtedly, an integral part of the Marlins resting in their current position has been the work of Adam Conley. With the struggles of Wei-Yin Chen, Conley has filled in the second spot in the rotation quite nicely. The rookie’s work has been subject to praise from most, with his 3.61 ERA slotting in behind Fernandez’s 2.53 for the team lead. Conley also has the second most strikeouts, with 103, and second lowest WHIP, at 1.29, trailing only Fernandez on the team in both categories.
However, his success hasn’t been as elongated as some would like; he’s only reached the sixth inning five times in fourteen starts since the beginning of May. Over that same span, he’s held the opposition to three runs or less ten times. The rookie’s progression has been a welcome sight for Marlins brass.
Chen’s Struggles at Home Hurt
Potentially the most intriguing member of the Marlins rotation has been Chen. The man who signed a five-year, $80 million contract with Miami in the off-season holds the rotation’s highest ERA. The transition to the National League has been a rocky one for the Taiwanese lefty. This season, he holds career-worsts in ERA, FIP, H/9, HR/9, and innings pitched per start (5.789).
The pervasive presumption was that the spacious confines of Marlins park would benefit Chen. This hasn’t been the case. For example, his ERA is .96 points higher at home than on the road, and his BAbip is .69 points higher at home. For Chen to become what he can, a pitcher with an ERA hovering around the mid-threes, would be a massive boost to this Marlins club.
Bottom Line
The Marlins are in desperate need of a fifth arm in the rotation. That’s uncontested. Sporadically successful starts by the likes of Jose Urena and Justin Nicolino have attempted to address that, to no avail. Chances are that gets settled via trade; however, the team is in dire need of the rotation as a whole showing up. Above that glaring need is Miami’s need for their rotation to remain, and in some cases become, consistent.
Main Photo:
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 21: Pitcher Jose Fernandez #16 of the Miami Marlins pitches during a MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on June 21, 2016 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/ Getty Images)
