Marlins Win Total Prediction
MLB teams usually make offseason headlines by wading into free-agent waters and plucking a premium player or two. In the Marlins’ case, however, they courted rock-star coaches.
Don Mattingly and Barry Bonds, two men with no shortage of experience on the West Coast, now come together in hopes of stabilizing perhaps the National League East’s most enigmatic franchise. Is Miami capable of absorbing its new leaders’ advice and finally taking the next step?
Despite the ultra-tough division at hand, oddsmakers definitely forecast improvement from last season’s 71-91 mark. Online sports book Bovada.lv lists the Marlins’ projected win total at 79.5.
Mattingly, who spent five years at the helm of the Dodgers, and ex-Giants star-turned-first-time-hitting coach Bonds certainly have talented pupils in place. Giancarlo Stanton belted 27 home runs in 279 at-bats last summer. A left hamate bone fracture obviously ended his campaign prematurely, but there’s a reason why the front office gave the slugger the richest contract in North American sports. Health permitting, Stanton’s arguably the only safe bet to club 50-plus dingers in this power-starved era.
The general outfield picture, though, looks quite good in South Beach. Christian Yelich overcame two stints on the disabled list to post an MLB-leading .357 average over the final 71 games. After a horrendous April, Marcell Ozuna with a strong second half that hearkened to his immensely promising 2014 campaign (23 homers, 85 RBIs). Then there’s the irrepressible safety valve otherwise known as Ichiro, who sits just 65 hits shy of 3,000.
Along the infield, what do you do for an encore after claiming a batting title, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same season? Second baseman Dee Gordon gladly accepts that challenge. His double-play partner, Adeiny Hechavarria, remains peerless when it comes to defensive prowess. The shortstop also seems to be growing at the dish, having just recorded career bests in average (.281), runs (54) and RBIs (48).
The Gordon-Hechavarria tandem will undoubtedly relish fielding any number of ground balls induced by ace Jose Fernandez. Fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, the righty flamethrower made fans salivate with last September’s extended cameo (6-1 mark with a 2.92 ERA over 64 2/3 innings). He’s now back to anchoring a staff that features holdovers Jarred Cosart and Tom Koehler, plus fresh faces Wei-Yen Chen and Edwin Jackson.
Chen, a fly-ball pitcher, is a curious signing given Marlins Park’s revised outfield dimensions. The lefty’s propensity for serving up the long ball could produce some teeth-gnashing moments, much like A.J. Ramos’ relief adventures. While the veteran registered 32 saves in 2015, his tight-wire acts also tested the patience of virtually everybody in Miami-Dade County. Don’t be shocked if Carter Capps, he of the 100mph heater, pushes Ramos for the closer’s gig sooner rather than later.
Washington and New York are currying additional favor with the masses at present – and that’s OK. Miami should fest on the Braves and Phillies, creating substantial wild-card noise in the process.
2016 MLB WIN TOTAL PREDICTION: MIAMI MARLINS OVER 79.5 WINS
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