Game Thread: Marlins vs. Angels, 4/1 @ 6:40 pm ET

[Ely Sussman]

Welcome to FOF's fifth Miami Marlins game thread of the 2024 season. The roof is open at LoanDepot Park for the fourth straight game. Can the lone righty in the starting rotation, Max Meyer, give the Marlins a spark?

SuperSubs can access exclusive game notes here.

Pregame roster moves: LHP Kent Emanuel selected from Triple-A Jacksonville; RHP Vladimir Gutierrez designated for assignment (updated 40-man roster snapshot posted below).

Enjoy live on-site coverage via Isaac Azout and Kevin Barral.

[Ely Sussman]

Kent Emanuel is your mop-up man of the day, if needed.

[TheYearOfTheFish]

@Ely SussmanGet ready for a long winded post. Stick with me.

DPs are already an issue for the Marlins through 4 games. I am remembering the interview you all had with Skip about the DP issue and the lack of a running game last season. I recall his kind of a cop-out for an answer.

I am wondering if you all got to discuss with him prior to this season - how the team plans to improve on the running game/base-stealing aspect of their game? How to cut down on the DPs?

What is being done behind the scenes to improve upon this? I don't doubt that they have worked on this - and continue to do so. 

For me, I think the biggest issue is the combination of Arraez/Bell at the top of the order. As good a hitter as Arraez is(struggling to start the season) - even if he gets on base - his lack of  speed combined with that of Bell's it is a DP waiting to happen at the top of lineup. Arraez would be better in the #2 spot or 3.

The options aren't the best - but the Marlins have guys like Anderson, Brujan, Gordon, I will even through in Bride - as guys probably better suited for the leadoff spot than Arraez.

My criticism of the Marlins offense is not the lineup, per se - for me, the issue is the batting order. I don't know how this offense will be consistent when the order is just not ideal.