The Miami Marlins will begin today’s NLDS without starting centerfielder Starling Marte, per MLB Network contributor Craig Mish (via Twitter). Marte will not be on the roster for the series. He took a pitch off the hand in the first game of the Wild Card series against the Cubs, fracturing the fifth metacarpal on his left hand. He was said to have been available to pinch-hit in the second game, though he did not appear. It was the third time this season that Marte had been hit on the hand, including the final game of the season.
Losing Marte is a blow for the upstart Marlins, though if there’s a team prepared to weather the storms of adversity, these Marlins certainly top the list. They’ve already withstood a COVID-19 outbreak, the loss of veteran Jose Ureña on the final day of the season, the opt-out and subsequent opt-in plus injury of second baseman Isan Diaz, and the retirement of starting catcher Francisco Cervelli. They also outlasted supposedly better teams in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. (not to mention Chicago) to break a 17-year playoff drought. For most people outside of Miami, Marte’s injury won’t move the needle simply because they aren’t expected to beat the Atlanta Braves anyhow. For those in the Marlins’ clubhouse, add this setback to the fuel for their nobody-believes-in-us fire.
Per Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald, manager Don Mattingly said this about leaving Marte off the roster: “Obviously a guy you don’t want to leave off your roster. But we weren’t comfortable with what he was going to be able to do.” The need to add an extra pitcher, as well as the presence of numerous options to mix-and-match in centerfield also played a part in moving Marte to the taxi squad. Given how difficult a decision this proved to be, one would think Marte could heal enough to return to the roster for the NLCS, should the Marlins outlast the Braves.
Magneuris Sierra will start in Marte’s place in Tuesday’s game, McPherson notes, as he did in the second game of the wild card round in Chicago. In that game, Sierra came up big with an RBI single to give the Marlins a much-needed 2-run cushion. Interestingly, Sierra gets the start in game one even against southpaw Max Fried. That’s in part because of the makeup of the roster, of course, as Lewis Brinson will start in right field instead of lefty Matt Joyce. The 24-year-old Sierra has tremendous speed and defensive potential, which should be an asset for Sandy Alcantara, Miami’s game one starter, who allowed 52.6% Fly Ball Percentage this season.
I believe in them. A team that’s never lost a playoff series and has Jeter’s mojo. Hope ATL takes the opportunity to pounce.
I hope would have thought Monte starts over Sierra against a lefty. I’m cool with Sierra though
Ouch, this hurts the Marlins a ton. Let’s hope Sierra steps up. Go Marlins!
Freeman -MVP
Ozuna _NL CBPOY
Anderson -Top 3 ROY candidate
Yep…..Braves in 3.
Braves in 5. The Marlins deserve a lot more credit than what they get. I think Tyler Matzek gets the comeback player of the year award. Just for the story
I figured Daniel Bard was the frontrunner for NL CBPOY
Duvall, IMHO.
I think they’ll win but each of the Marlins starting pitchers have the ability to steal a game or two. I wouldn’t be that confident to say they’ll sweep.
“Though if there’s a team prepared to weather the storms of adversity, these Marlins certainly top the list…the loss of veteran Jose Ureña on the final day of the season”
So they’ve weathered two games?
Am I the only one who winced at “weather the storms of adversity”?
Nope. All these guys do is take a little tweet and flower it up with as many ornamental words and phrases and cliches as they possibly can.
I’m sure the world is dying to see your articles.
Am I the only one who realized that Alcantara’s POSTSEASON Flyball rate is 52.6% while his regular season flyball rate was just 29.3%?
The Marlins are this year’s Cinderella team; Goliath’s David and Lucy’s Charlie Brown.
Not a lot of pop, but strong rotation arms and even stronger legs for their runners. Sort of reminds me of Maury Wills’ ’59 Dodgers. who won a lot of low scoring games with solid pitching and running wild on the base paths.
Tough to bet against the Braves who mash and smash as well as anyone. Only W.B. Mason delivers more than Brave hitters.
Still, Cinderella did get to go to the ball; David did slay Goliath and……….oops! Sorry, but Lucy ain’t ever gonna let poor old Charlie kick that football..
MWF= Make a Wish for the Fish!
Lucy actually did let Charlie kick the football once but unfortunately, he missed and got her hand instead.
Man, I can’t help but root for these guys.
Straight up and down.
2020 has been a absolute gut check year.
I’ve been out in it the whole time (building contractor, so essential industry) & I’ve never had my resourcefulness, skill, experience, & – yes – contacts so severely tested.
Love seeing how Miami stuck with it. So much adversity & they just refused to give in.
An inspirational example for us all.
Get well, Starling. The Marlins are going to need you against the Dodgers.
😉
Keep working and fighting Marlins. It’s been a tough year for all of us but there’s nothing quite like a good Cinderella story in sports. Oh and go Heat!
As a Marlins fan, i am just enjoying the moment and seeing how far this goes. We at least are getting our young players some postseason experience…while we’re still in a rebuild.
Nothing to lose. Proud of this team and have been enjoying this season along with the Heat’s.
What’s good, @MarlinsFanBase?
Man, it’s great to talk some baseball as opposed to – ya know – other stuff.
You have every right to be proud of your squad! What a *great* story. I think a lotta baseball fans in general are pulling for them.
I am.
Well… unless the Yankees play them in the Series. But I expect you’ll let me slide on that.
Uh?
MI’m proud of the Marlins. I really am They went through Hell and still made it to the NLDS. Its always good to see a team come out of a rebuild. Even though there rivals. You have some good posts too MFB. you usually make some good points Although I hope my team wins of course it’s good to see a young team with lots of potential show up surprisingly