Offishial news, 8/18/23: Edwards plays shortstop; Sandy's Dodger Stadium demons

Thursday's Games

Marlins Podcast Episodes

• Thursday's Marlins MiLB Notes: Intriguing contest in Jacksonville. Edward Cabrera got hit hard early and struggled with his control throughout, but still kept runs to a minimum (5.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 2 K). Jorge Alfaro caught Cabrera, caught a runner stealing and went 2-for-4 at the plate in his return to the Marlins organization. Playing shortstop for the first time this season, Xavier Edwards went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base. RHP Noble Meyer was promoted to Jupiter. Hopefully, he pitches in Port St. Lucie this weekend because then we'll have TV broadcast footage and Statcast data for him. Three more recent draft picks—RHP Josh Ekness, RHP Jake Brooks and RHP Colson Lawrence—made their professional debuts with the FCL Marlins. OF Andres Valor (DSL Miami) went 5-for-5 with three doubles.

• NL Wild Card race updates: the Diamondbacks beat the Padres. The Marlins remain percentage points behind the Cubs for the third Wild Card spot.

• Elsewhere around the majors, the Dodgers won their 11th straight game. Lance Lynn has a 1.44 ERA through four starts with his new team and Austin Barnes clubbed his firs homer of the season. Julio Rodriguez had a 5-for-5 game that included a game-winning home run for the Mariners.

• We recorded
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• The Marlins have a 44.5% chance to win their series opener against the Dodgers, per FanGraphs. Sandy Alcantara has a lifetime 18.00 ERA in three previous starts at Dodger Stadium. Miguel Rojas will be facing the Marlins for the first time in his career. Double-A Pensacola (7:35 p.m. ET) is at home, while Triple-A Jacksonville (7:05 p.m. ET), High-A Beloit (7:30 p.m. ET), Low-A Jupiter (6:10 p.m. ET) and FCL Marlins (10:00 a.m. ET) are on the road. DSL Miami and DSL Marlins are playing against each other (11:00 a.m. ET).

• Every other MLB team except for the Marlins has hit a grand slam in 2023. Still 40 games left to join the crowd, but most Fish On First followers are pessimistic.

• Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald focuses on how Tanner Scott has made such a dramatic year-to-year improvement.

• Enrollment for 2024 Marlins memberships is now open. The lowest price point averages out to $11 per game. Early enrollment continues through Sept. 5.

• Michael Baumann of FanGraphs examines the teams that are outplaying their Pythagorean records by the widest margins this season. "I have absolutely no idea how the Marlins are doing what they’re doing," Baumann concludes.

• Jeff Lindgren will receive this MLB debut plaque courtesy of Adopt A Minor Leaguer.

• Happy 25th birthday to Andrew Nardi and happy 23rd birthday to Nasim Nuñez. In parts of two major league seasons, Nardi owns a 4.98 ERA and 4.72 FIP in 59 appearances (56.0 IP). A 2023 Futures Game selection, Nuñez remains a consensus Top 30 prospect in the Marlins organization on the strength of his defense and baserunning. However, his hit tool has not developed as hoped.

Photo by Jesus Sanchez/Fish On First