Ely Sussman

Wednesday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/game-coverage/marlins-mets-9-27-23/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/27/8f7bdc4d-7174cd77-a8e9651f-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/27/2cdea662-5cc25f0b-8e02dfa7-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4Marlins Podcast Episodes After a very uninspiring effort in the afternoon game, the Marlins eked out the nightcap against the Mets to split Wednesday's doubleheader. Johnny Cueto did a serviceable job going two times through New York's lineup, then the Tanner Scott-less bullpen threw up zeroes the rest of the way (though Pete Alonso came this close to a go-ahead home run in the eighth). A small-ball rally of singles, stolen bases and a Brett Baty error put Miami ahead for good. Matt Moore earned his first win as a Marlin and Andrew Nardi converted his third save.Speaking of Scott, congrats to he and his wife, Maddie, on the birth of their son, Bo.https://www.instagram.com/p/CxuBmhGO9D2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linkJon Berti is in the midst of an uncharacteristic power surge. After homering only thrice in his first 124 games of the season, he's done so four times in the last five. That has raised his 2023 slugging percentage by 50 points! Luis Arraez (left ankle sprain) was absent from the doubleheader. Jorge Soler felt "discomfort" at the end of the first game and didn't play in the second. Josh Bell was hit by a pitch on the right leg that clearly affected his running. He's hopeful about playing today.The Marlins will finish a full-length season with a winning record for the first time since 2009. Skip Schumaker joins Jim Leyland (1997) and Jack McKeon (2003) as the only managers in history to be above the .500 mark in their first season with the Marlins.NL Wild Card race updates: the Diamondbacks won, while the Cubs and Reds lost. The Cubs held leads entering the bottom of the eighth, ninth and 10th innings, but the Braves are inevitable. Ronald Acuña Jr.'s 70th stolen base set up the winning run. The Marlins hold the third Wild Card spot thanks to having the tiebreaker over Chicago.Elsewhere around the majors, Gerrit Cole (Yankees) threw a shutout against the Blue Jays, capping off a surefire AL Cy Young-winning campaign. Old friend Pablo López (Twins) racked up 234 strikeouts, even more than Cole and a 60-K increase from his final Marlins season. The Padres are still technically mathematically alive for a postseason berth, but they need to win out and get a lot of help.Next up, the Marlins, Diamondbacks and Cubs conclude their series in New York, Chicago and Atlanta, respectively. Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald spoke to Marlins farm director Hector Crespo about why the organization emphasizes winning seemingly meaningless games in the minor leagues. (I suppose it doesn't fit the Herald's narrative, but the organization-wide MiLB winning percentage was only .485 this season.)Dane Myers has signed on to play for Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM). The Gigantes are managed by Marlins bullpen coach Wellington Cepeda.On this day 15 years ago, the Marlins eliminated the Mets from postseason contention, spoiling the final game in Shea Stadium history.Photo courtesy of Miami Marlins

Tuesday's GamesMarlins Podcast Episodes Tuesday's Marlins MiLB Notes: A 10-3 loss eliminated Pensacola from the Southern League Championship Series. Three errors contributed to four unearned runs for the Tennessee Smokies. The Blue Wahoos came up two victories shy of defending their league title. On the bright side, 1B Troy Johnston, LHP Patrick Monteverde and LHP Jefry Yan were named to the Southern League All-Star team. Kevin Randel won the league's Manager of the Year award.The Marlins/Mets series opener was postponed due to unplayable field conditions. Although hardly any rain fell on Tuesday, precipitation from previous days had softened up the surface too much to make it safe for players. I know next to nothing about groundscrew best practices, but sure seems like this situation was avoidable if the Citi Field folks had been more proactive.The postponement undoubtedly hurts the Marlins' postseason chances. They have to play their final six regular season games in the span of about 98 hours. Miami's most consistent starting pitcher, Braxton Garrett, would have been available on normal rest for Sunday's Game 162 if he had pitched on Tuesday—that's no longer the case.The brief absence of closer Tanner Scott also hurts their chances, but it's for a completely understandable reason: he went on the paternity list to be present at the birth of his first child. The maximum length of a paternity list stint is three days, so he will be back for the Pirates series regardless. Huascar Brazoban has returned from the injured list to take Scott's place.With Luis Arraez still extremely limited by his left ankle sprain, Jorge Soler was penciled into the Marlins leadoff spot if there had been a game played as scheduled.NL Wild Card race updates: the Diamondbacks and Reds won, while the Cubs lost. Arizona fell behind 4-1 to José Ureña and the White Sox before scoring fourteen unanswered runs. The Reds put up 11 runs on the Guardians, tied for their third-highest scoring effort of the season. The Cubs blew a 6-0 lead to the Braves thanks to a humiliating error by Seiya Suzuki. The Marlins are half a game back of the third Wild Card spot. Elsewhere around the majors, the Phillies clinched a postseason berth. The Rockies reached 100 losses for the first time in their franchise's history. Juan Soto established a new single-season high with his 34th and 35th home runs.We didn't know there'd be a postponement when streaming , but most of our series analysis still applies. Super Subscribers, submit your series predictions before today's 4:10 p.m. ET first pitch. With chiropractic care and functional health, La Pop takes a preventative approach that optimizes wellness and quality of life for all ages. Find out more here! https://fishonfirst.com/la-pop/The Marlins and Mets will play a straight doubleheader. Braxton Garrett starts the first game.Garrett has used his curveball during every game he's pitched this season despite awful results. Louis Addeo-Weiss discusses whether he should simply stop throwing it.https://fishonfirst.com/analysis/braxton-garrett-curveball-stats/Luis Arraez, Bryan De La Cruz, Eury Pérez and Jorge Soler for Las Mayores. I enjoyed the part where Arraez and Soler reflected on the humble beginnings of their baseball careers, which involved creating their own bats using whatever they could find.Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

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Monday's GamesMarlins Podcast Episodes Monday's Marlins roster moves: Enmanuel De Jesus was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville and Jeff Lindgren was optioned to make room for him. This transaction occurred on the first day that De Jesus was eligible to be recalled after previously being sent down on September 10 (15 days prior). My suspicion is that De Jesus will be on standby for mop-up duty today before getting replaced by Huascar Brazoban on Wednesday.NL Wild Card race updates: the Diamondbacks lost. They blew three separate leads to the Yankees and fell behind for good in the eighth inning. The Marlins are one game back of both the second (D-backs) and third (Cubs) Wild Card spots.Elsewhere around the majors, Justin Verlander (8.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K) pitched arguably his best game of the season to beat the Mariners. The Rangers blasted back-to-back-to-back home runs to secure their sixth straight win.We’ve got a new episode of Fish On First LIVE streaming tonight at 6:00 p.m. ET on /Twitch/Twitter. Super Subscribers, submit your series predictions before first pitch. With chiropractic care and functional health, La Pop takes a preventative approach that optimizes wellness and quality of life for all ages. Find out more here! https://fishonfirst.com/la-pop/Kevin Barral is giving away a 2024 Marlins magnet schedule on the stream. Follow and reply to him before then for a chance to win it.The Marlins have a 47.5% chance to win their series opener against the Mets, per FanGraphs. Double-A Pensacola (7:05 p.m. ET) is hosting a must-win Game 2 of the Southern League Championship Series. LHP Luis Palacios is their probable starter.With six games left, Glenn Geffner's View from the Bleachers breaks down the status of the Marlins and the two teams they're chasing in the Wild Card race.The Marlins are teaming up with bars and restaurants to host local watch parties for each game of this season-defining road trip. Tonight's event is at Sports & Social in Dolphin Mall, tomorrow's will be at Sandbar Sports Grill, etc.On this day 20 years ago, the Marlins defeated the Mets to clinch a postseason berth. , the Marlins returned to the field following the tragic death of teammate José Fernández. Bearing Fernández's name and number on the back of his uniform, Dee Strange-Gordon, who had not homered all season, took Bartolo Colon deep. Photo by Danis Sosa/Fish On First

Sunday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/game-coverage/marlins-brewers-9-24-23/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/24/d5f36b0e-470115f4-fcb1813d-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4 Marlins Podcast Episodes Prior to Sunday's Marlins game, 1B Troy Johnston (Player of the Year), LHP Patrick Monteverde (Pitcher of the Year), INF/OF Xavier Edwards (Jacksonville MVP), C Will Banfield (Pensacola MVP), OF/1B Jake Thompson (Beloit MVP), OF/INF Javier Sanoja (Jupiter MVP), INF Jesús Hernández (FCL Marlins), INF Erick Lara (DSL Marlins MVP), OF Andres Valor (DSL Miami MVP), INF Jordan McCants (Service Member of the Year) and LHP Julio Mendez (Student of the Year) were presented with their 2023 Minor League Awards.Six different Marlins had multi-hit games in Sunday's rubber match against the Brewers, including multiple home runs for Jon Berti (just the second time in his career that he's done that). Edward Cabrera bested his own Statcast-era record for highest changeup velocity. Cabrera's curveball was great in this start, too. He's got a 1.89 ERA since being recalled from Triple-A. Tanner Scott joined Kyle Barraclough (2016) as the only Marlins pitchers to amass 100 strikeouts in relief in a single season.The Marlins' 81st win ensures a non-losing record for the first time in a full-length season since 2009. They went 46-35 in home games. They would have to advance to the NLDS to play at LoanDepot Park again.Boarding the team plane for the final road trip of the regular season, all of the rookies fittingly dressed in marlin costumes. In the background of those photos, unfortunately, you can see that Luis Arraez is still wearing a walking boot on his ailing left ankle.Listen back to Sunday's State of the Fish Twitter Space hosted by Grant Kiefer.NL Wild Card race updates: the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Reds won, while the Giants lost. Old friend Zac Gallen shoved six scoreless innings against the Yankees. That Giants defeat essentially ends their postseason push. It'll be four teams fighting for two spots entering the final week of the regular season. The Marlins are one game back of the third Wild Card spot.Elsewhere around the majors, the Rangers have regained control of the AL West after sweeping the Mariners and watching the Royals pull off a stunning road sweep of the Astros. Michael Lorenzen, who's been utilized as a starter over the last two seasons, recorded his first save as a Phillie.Alex Carver spoke to Troy Johnston about the strides he's made to become one of the most productive players in Minor League Baseball. Kevin Barral recorded his .https://fishonfirst.com/farm/troy-johnston-2023-player-of-the-year-award/As revealed through the team's magnet schedule giveaway, Friday night Marlins home games in 2024 will begin at 7:10 p.m. Other weeknight games will remain at 6:40 p.m. (as has been the case in recent seasons).Son Los Marlins recaps the Jupiter Hammerheads' run to the Florida State League championship.On this day seven years ago, a boating accident killed Marlins star pitcher José Fernández, Eduardo Rivero and Emilio Jesus Macias. Fernández had seemingly limitless potential on the mound and it's agonizing to wonder what more he could've accomplished if not for his own reckless actions. The circumstances surrounding his death understandably prevent the franchise from loudly celebrating his career, but at FOF, we believe it's possible to reflect on his excellence as a player and his exuberant personality without disrespecting the victims and their families.Photo courtesy of Miami Marlins

For the first time since 2017, mascot races have returned to Miami Marlins home games. The Marlins Rooster Race was introduced entering the month of August, with 26 games remaining at LoanDepot Park during the 2023 regular season. Bobby (wearing the club's City Connect uniform), Charlie (teal) and Pepito (white) go beak-to-beak-to-beak in the middle of the sixth inning. Fish On First has observed a strong correlation between the winning rooster and whichever uniform Marlins players are wearing that day, but there are enough discrepancies that we'll be tracking the game-by-game results below. August 1: Pepito won | Marlins lostAugust 2: Pepito won | Marlins wonAugust 3: Pepito won | Marlins lostAugust 11: Charlie won | Marlins lostAugust 12: Bobby won | Marlins wonAugust 13: Pepito won | Marlins wonAugust 14: Bobby won | Marlins wonAugust 15: Charlie won | Marlins lostAugust 16: Pepito won | Marlins lostAugust 25: Pepito won | Marlins lostAugust 26: Charlie won | Marlins lostAugust 27: Pepito won | Marlins wonAugust 29: Bobby won | Marlins lostAugust 30: Charlie won | Marlins lostSeptember 5: Charlie won | Marlins wonSeptember 6: Pepito won | Marlins wonSeptember 7: Bobby won | Marlins lostSeptember 15: Bobby won | Marlins wonSeptember 16: Pepito won | Marlins wonSeptember 17: Charlie won | Marlins wonSeptember 18: Bobby won | Marlins lostSeptember 19: Charlie won | Marlins wonSeptember 20: Charlie won | Marlins lostSeptember 22: Billy the Marlin won | Marlins lostSeptember 23: Charlie won | Marlins wonSeptember 24: Pepito won | Marlins wonPhoto courtesy of Miami Marlins

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Saturday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/at-the-ballpark/marlins-brewers-9-23/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/23/e05994ef-b83386f7-b407cb07-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4 Saturday's Marlins MiLB Notes: Every Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp starter recorded at least one hit. INF Jacob Amaya homered to extend his on-base streak to 20 games. LHP Ryan Weathers had his scoreless streak snapped at 17 innings. Overall, he had a 2.54 ERA in seven Triple-A starts after being acquired by the Marlins at the trade deadline.After struggling earlier in the week, Tanner Scott had a bounce-back outing to secure the Marlins' 32nd one-run win of the season. It was Miami's 80th victory overall, the franchise's highest in a season since 2010. Matt Moore made his Marlins debut and also pitched a scoreless inning.Sandy Alcantara (right UCL sprain) is officially out for the season. So is Eury Pérez (left SI joint inflammation) after an 128-inning workload. Luis Arraez will be taking it day by day after aggravating his ankle injury in a uniquely frustrating way. https://fishonfirst.com/news/tracking-miami-marlins-injury-rehab-updates/Pérez became the first pitcher since José Fernández (2013) to throw at least 90 MLB innings in his age-20 season. Despite a mediocre September, his rookie campaign was unequivocally a success (143 ERA+) and he'll head into next year as a lock to crack the Marlins starting rotation.NL Wild Card race updates: the Cubs won, the Giants and Reds lost, and the Diamondbacks were rained out. Cincinnati led 9-0 over the Pirates and somehow blew it. The Marlins are one game back of the third Wild Card spot.Elsewhere around the majors, Mookie Betts set a new MLB modern era record for RBI from the leadoff spot in a single season. The Padres' eight-game win streak was snapped. They are an astonishing 0-12 in extra-inning games this season.The Marlins have a 48.8% chance to win their series finale against the Brewers, per FanGraphs. There will be a pregame ceremony honoring the organization's 2023 minor league award winners. All fans in attendance get a 2024 magnet schedule and are invited to do the "Diamond Dash" following the game. Triple-A Jacksonville (1:05 p.m. ET) is on the road for their final game of the season. Double-A Pensacola (5:30 p.m. ET) is on the road for Game 1 of the Southern League Championship Series.Here are my scouting and statistical notes on each of the Marlins' Arizona Fall League participants.https://fishonfirst.com/farm/2023-arizona-fall-league-marlins-prospects/Happy birthday to Marlins LHP Patrick Monteverde (26). He led the Marlins farm system in strikeouts this season and represented them in the All-Star Futures Game. Monteverde figures to be a non-roster invitee to 2024 spring training.Photo by Danis Sosa/Fish On First

As the 2023 MLB regular season winds down, we are being treated to a highly competitive National League Wild Card race. It's the first time that Miami Marlins fans have experienced something like this under the current playoff format. The Marlins ceded the NL East title to the Atlanta Braves long ago, but remain in contention for the three Wild Card spots. What if, after 162 games, the Marlins find themselves tied for the third and final spot? Who gets the higher postseason seed if they clearly make the cut, but have the same record as another Wild Card team? Well, it depends who they're tied with, as explained below. This page will be updated daily. Arizona DiamondbacksThe Marlins clinched the tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks based on head-to-head record (Marlins won season series, 4-2). Chicago CubsThe Marlins clinched the tiebreaker over the Cubs based on head-to-head record (Marlins won season series, 4-2). Philadelphia PhilliesThe Marlins clinched the tiebreaker over the Phillies based on head-to-head record (Marlins won season series, 7-6). Cincinnati RedsAfter splitting their season series, the Marlins clinched the tiebreaker over the Reds based on intradivision record. The Marlins are 25-24 (.510 W%) against NL East teams, while the Reds are 19-29 (.396 W%) against NL Central teams. San Francisco GiantsAfter splitting their season series, the tiebreaker between the Marlins and Giants has yet to be determined. It will be based on intradivision record. The Marlins are 25-24 (.510 W%) against NL East teams, while the Giants are 24-21 (.533 W%) against NL West teams. For additional postseason tiebreaker details, go here. Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images