Sweep Out of San Juan?

Can the Marlins score for Volstad, and can Pelfrey cool off in those warm Caribbean breezes? Tune in tonight.

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OOF: Fish lose 6-5.

Edwin's In

Sr. Rodriguez has been christened by Jeffery as less-interim than he was earlier - Loria announced before last night's game that for the sake of "continuity" (guffaw) Edwin would remain manager for the rest of the season (here's a friendly tip for job security: don't become Manager of the Year).

MORE-MANAGER-STUFF: Speaking of continuity, Valentine says dealing with the Marlins FO was "very disturbing, confusing and...insulting at times". Meanwhile, Fredi's wife may be kicking him out of the house shortly.

AND: Here's who Loria =really= wants...(MiamiCityOfChamps)

Home Without a Home

While construction continues at the new Marlins ballpark (and malaise continues in its neighborhood), the Marlins host the Mets at their vacation home for Game Two of the series in Puerto Rico tonight (no hurricanes nearby as of yet).

The crapshoots known as Takahashi and Robertson will start.

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TWO-FER: Fish walk-off winners.

Marlins Face Brutal Dickey

The Fish, basking in the news of Bobby V's apparent unworthiness, have to interrupt their San Juan vacation to play three games against the Mets, the first one starting knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Dickey beat the Marlins on June 4th and is 6-0 since he's been in the Mets' rotation. Starting opposite Dickey will be Ricky, who beat the Mets his last time against them.

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VICTORY: Marlins win 10-3.

A Bit of Loyalty Amidst the Bloodletting

A quick note to recognize the resignation of coach Dave Collins, who eschewed the team where everyone's an "interim" because "he felt an obligation to (Fredi) Gonzalez." Tarrik Brock is now interim 1st-base coach.

De-Sweepize Sunday

The Fish have won all five Sunday home games they've played this year. The Padres have won their last two Sunday away games (they are 2-3 for the year).

Mat Latos returs home to the unfriendly confines of Sun Stroke Stadium to start for the Pads. Anibal goes for the Fish, but the Marlins' best hope may come from home plate umpire Wally Bell.

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SWIFFERED: Marlins lose 4th straight, 4-2.

Re-Superize Saturday

Reports today are that Valentine won't join the Marlins at least until the Puerto Rico series is over, if then.

The Marlins have lost their last five Saturday games.

Josh Johnson and Jon Garland pitch tonight. And after the game, it's O.A.R.

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DOUBLE-BLECH: Fish lose 2-1.

Fiesta Friday

Bobby V would probably be the manager now if it weren't for the show the Marlins need to put on to avoid fines, and/or the pick-me-up Edwin may give to the Puerto Rican series next week. Edwin's debut in Miami will have Chris Volstad and Clayton Richard as the starters.

Why did the schedule-masters decide that the Padres were going to be the only team outside the NL East to play two 3-game series in Miami Gardens this year? San Diego won 2-of-3 from the Fish when they were here in April, and have a 19-14 road record this year. But they are 5-5 in their last 3 road series, while the Marlins in their last 3 road series are 5-4 (with a rainout in Philly).

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BLECH: Fish lose 3-0.

Clean Sweep?

Among the rumors of Armando Benitez and bans on vuvuzelas and of course Fredi's replacement, the Marlins attempt their first road sweep of the year tonight at Baltimore.

The Orioles have been swept 8 times already this year, 3 times at home.

Kevin Millwood and Nate Robertson are the starters.

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DIRTY: Marlins lose 11-5.

Oh, Right... There's a Game Tonight

The Interim Marlins try to make it three-in-a-row this evening.

Wednesday, May 12 - that's the only Wednesday, out of eleven Wednesdays so far, in which the Orioles have won this season.

The Marlins have lost their last 3 Wednesday games, but they won their last Wednesday road game, which was way back on May 19 (they are 2-2 in Wednesday road games this year).

The Marlins are 3-1 in games immediately following a mid-season managerial change (that includes Cookie).

It's Ricky Nolasco and Brian Matusz on the mound tonight.

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No More Vuvuzelas for Fredi

Loria finally does what he wanted to do last year, and fires Fredi Gonzalez, Carlos Tosca, and Jim Presley. (Yahoo)

Even though the pitching has been consistently pointed out as the problem with the Fish, pitching coach St. Claire still seems employed. (FishStripes)

MORE: Fredi had a strangly worded response to ESPNdesportes about his firing (or maybe it was a mis-translation)...

---"This is something that I want to make very clear: My exit from the Marlins had nothing to do with Hanley," Gonzalez told ESPNdeportes on Wednesday. "The situation with Hanley had to do with them - the Marlins. They wanted to make a change to move in another direction."---

The way those last two sentences sound together makes it seem that it Was the Hanley situation that sent the Marlins into 'another direction', no matter what the first sentence said.

Well, as the Gabbing Blog says, whether or not Hanley's situation led to Fredi's firing, the Marlins' new manager at least has played in the majors.

Camden Crunch

The last time the Orioles have won at least two games in a series was on May 13th at home against Seattle. They've only swept one team this year - Boston at home from April 30-May 2, followed by being swept for three by the Yankees in NY. They've got one win in four of their last five series. They're on a five-game-losing streak against NL East teams (Washington and the Mets). But they have also won three of their last five Tuesday games.

The Marlins have lost their last two Tuesday games after winning four Tuesdays in a row. Florida hasn't lost to Baltimore since June 21, 2006.

It's Anibal against Jeremy Guthrie.

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ADIOS: Fredi goes out a 10-4 winner.

Moves Etc.

Sosa gets DFA, Buente's back in AAA, the Fish call up Sanabia and Houser, and they release Hunter Jones to possibly re-sign him when he heals.

Meanwhile the O's get a new outfielder for a former Fish.

Off to Baltimore

The Nationals are the only NL East team playing tonight.

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Game's On

Marlins and Rays are tied in the middle of the 4th inning. And you can put the sound back up on your TV again.

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THE-TROPHY-IS-OURS: Fish win 4-1.

Super Saturday Sickness

The Marlins go for the previously-misplaced Citrus Series trophy tonight. Making the task unbearable will be 15,000 high-pitched vuvuzelas, given out for free by the Marlins to help promote psychosis throughout the community. Historical stats for players swinging the bats while simultaneously holding their ears have never before been compiled by STATS, LLC.

Trying to pitch with bleeding ears will be Chris Volstad and Jeff Niemann.

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Citrus Series South

The Rays bring new white suits to Miami, hoping to thrash the tepid Marlins at Sun Life Sweat Lodge. Tampa Bay has a 23-10 record on the road, but have gone 2-4 in their last 6 road games.

But (ugh) the Marlins are also 2-4 in their last 6 home games, and are 1-3 in Friday home games so far this year.

Trying to help the Marlins 'regress to the mean' will be Nate Robinson, who scarily "has not beaten the Rays in seven career starts", though he was good in relief against them last Saturday. Matt Garza starts for the Flatter Fish.

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REGRESSION!: Fish win 7-4.

From One Swamp to Another

Cameron finally gets some playing time - but it'll be back down (or up, or north, or whatever) in New Orleans. Mike Lamb returns to pinch-hit. Hensley goes on the DL, and Scott Strickland takes his place. And Chris Leroux goes off the DL and over to AAA. (sun-sentinel)

UPDATE: And now it seems John Baker's been moved to the 60-day DL.

Sweep-Stoppin' Time

Texas wins four road games in a row but still has a 14-17 road record this year. The 2010 Marlins are now .500 at home.

One straw to grasp on is that Texas has lost 5 of its last 6 road series finales, although that one win was this past Sunday. The Fish have won 4 of their last 6 home series finales.

Dustin Nippert gets his first start of the year against the struggling Ricky Nolasco.

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ARGGH: Fish lose 6-4.

V-P Day

Celebrations are heard across the land as the Marlins designate Renyel Pinto for assignment.

Math on Our Side

The Fish have lost their last four Wednesday home games. But tonight for them will be Game Number 65, and the Marlins have won their last four games whose numbers ended in 5 (55, 45, 35 and 25). They are 9-3 this year in games that are multiples of 5. So there.

Tonight it's Anibal vs. Tommy Hunter.

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DAMN-WEDNESDAY: Fish lose 6-3.

Texas Rangers Come to Town

The Rangers haven't played in Miami Gardens since 2005. Hopefully Hanley will start smacking in some more runs. C.J. Wilson vs. Josh Johnson tonight.

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SMACKED: Matt Treanor wallops a two-run triple into center field to beat his former club 3-2.

Baker's Still In One Piece

The bottom of this article reports that John Baker doesn't need surgery but does need a month more of non-active layoff.

So while we're waiting here's part 1 and part 2 of an interview John did with the California Golden Blogs blog.

NL East Rests

Here's scores for the games tonight...

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Rubber Citrus Game

The Marlins are still going for the series win. "Red-hot" Jeff Niemann pitches against "hit hard" Chris Volstad.

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REBOUND: Fish win 6-1.

St. Pete Saturday

The Fish go for the series win. Nolasco vs. Garza tonight.

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UGH: Rays win 6-5.

Sour Citrus Series

The Marlins return to what is perennially the skankiest-looking artificial-turf rug in the majors (Maddon doesn't want Crawford playing on it). The Rays have the best record in baseball (39-21), but a not-quite-as-super 17-13 record at home. James Shields and Anibal Sanchez are tonight's starters. And as Craig reminded us last year, the Marlins are not the bad guys in this series.

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SWEETER: Fish win 14-9.

Thursday's Classic

Tonight - Josh vs. Roy. Possibly bad - Josh has a 3.52 ERA on the road this year. Possibly good - Roy will face Stanton this time around.

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POSSIBLY-GREAT: JJ and Leo do the shutout thing.

Sitting In The Fish Tank

Not since the Hanley Ramirez episode has the Internets lit up with Marlins talk like they are with the news that the Marlins new stadium will have aquariums in the backstop. Here's some now...

(Sarah Talalay)...(HardballTalk)...(FanHouse)...(BigLeagueStew)...(MarlinsHood)...(SlanchReport)...(MarlinsDieHards)

Day Shot

First, Baker's headed to Birmingham as his arm injury worsens.

And now tonight's Marlins-Phillies Johnson-Halladay rematch has been postponed due to inclement weather.

Here's tonight's scoreboards...

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THOT: Joe Frisaro thinks Sept. 6 is a good day for a doubleheader, but if MLB would rather not have a doubleheader, and if both the Marlins and Phillies would give up a day off, then there are a couple of days available on the schedules that could be seen as not particularly hard on either team. One date would be after that Sept. 6 series, on Sept. 9, where both teams have an off day before going on short road trips (Fish to D.C., Phils to N.Y.). An earlier date, though not attached to a Phillies series, would be August 9, where the Phils have a day off during a home stand, and the Marlins have a day off before a road trip starting just down the street, again at Washington. A similar situation occurs on June 21, with the Fish playing in Baltimore on the 22nd, although that date would be crappy given the wild travelling the Fish will do through the end of June - going to Baltimore for 3 games, back home for 3, flying out to Puerto Rico for 3 more, followed by a day off to go all the way out to L.A. on a West Coast swing.

SPECULATION-SCHMECKULATION: Joe Capozzi confirms the Sept. 6 doubleheader.

Fish 8 - Phils 7 in the Top of the 8th

Stanton's 2-for-4 and scored a run so far.

DOWNDATE: Clay and Taylor allow 3 runs to score in the bottom of the 8th.

END: Lidge load the bases with 2 out but Ronny pops up - Fish lose 10-8. Stsnton went 3-for-5 and scored 2 runs.

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No Game Today, Many Moves Today

Stanton, Boni, and the Hurk get called up, Carroll and Wood get sent down, and Lamb gets DFA.

Now , the scoreboards for Monday...

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Sweepless Afternoon?

Ricky Nolasco vs. Hisanori Takahashi today.

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NO!: Fish get swept out of the Citi.

More Mets Today

It's Niese vs. Nate.

EDIT: Fixed the scoreboards.

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FOOEY: Fish lose again.

The Future, Maybe

You may remember I did lists of "predictive streaks" of each NL team - points on each team's schedule where a win or loss historically foreshadows a winning or losing season for that team on each year of the streak. I checked for these streaks during the first two months of each season, and now that the first two months of this season are over, here's where the streaks are pointing...

First, for the NL East (here's the original article)...
---The Marlins won on April 10, didn't play on April 19, and won Game No. 37.
---The Nationals won on May 10, and lost Game No. 18.
---The Mets lost on May 19, and won Game No. 33.
---The Braves won both on May 10 and Game No. 2.
---The Phillies won on May 15, and lost Game No. 49.

Now the NL Central (original article)...
---The Cubs won on April 21 and Game No. 35, didn't play on May 3, and lost on May 6.
---The Reds have won both Games No. 47 and 38.
---The Astros lost Games No. 3, 43, and on May 4, and won on April 23, 25 and on May 21.
---The Brewers won on April 18, May 20 and Game No. 6. They lost on April 12 and 14.
---The Pirates won on April 7, but lost Game No. 47.
---The Cardinals won on April 29, May 21 and Game No. 15.

Finally the NL West (original article)
---The Diamondbacks lost both Game No. 33 and on May 8.
---The Dodgers lost on May 25 and April 23.
---The Giants won on April 7.
---The Padres lost both Games No. 48 and 24.
---The Rockies lost Game No. 2, won on May 12 and Game No. 47, and didn't play on May 24.

Fish In The Citi

The Mets' R. A. Dickey will float his knuckleball in front of Marlins hitters tonight. Anibal stars for the Fish. Both pitchers are on win streaks - Dickey has 2-in-a-row, Anibal has 4-in-a-row.

Florida, though, has only won 6 of Anibal's last 21 road starts, while the Mets won 17 of their last 22 home games (and 5 of their last 6). The Marlins haven't lost to the Mets since the first game of the year.

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Goin' For Series Win

It's been raining on or near the stadium all day. Maybe it'll let up by gametime. Chris Capuano is scheduled to start for the first time since 2007, and the Fish have Josh scheduled.

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REIGN: Marlins win 3-2, take 3 of 4 from the Brew Crew.

Game Three of Four

Gallardo and Volstad are to toe the rubber.

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FUDGE: Fish lose 7-4.

Putting the Fans in Yesterday's Seats

Since it's a Tuesday, and the Brewers are in town, ticket sales will probably be slow - but today it's possible that the Marlins will sell more tickets for last Saturday's game than for tonight's.

Indeed, Halladay's perfect outing against the Fish inspired not only ticket sales in parellel time dimensions, but also Jeffrey's decision to set up the home plate from that game as some sort of evil shrine in the new stadium - a decision that frankly rankles.

Tonight's mound will be stepped on by two pitchers (Dave Bush and Ricky Nolasco) trying to shake off slumps.

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