On Deck: The Marlins!? - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing matchups

Cincinnati Reds (15-23) vs. Florida Marlins (23-14) 7:10PM Est.

Quick, without looking it up, who has the best record in baseball right now? Did you say the Diamondbacks? Close, you were right up until yesterday, but getting swept by the Cubs knocked them off the top of the mountain. The Red Sox? Good choice, they are the defending champs after all, but even though they have the best record in the American League, they aren't the best in baseball.

No, that honor somehow belongs to the Florida Marlins, who have managed to win their last 7 games and are currently an MLB-best 23-14.

Just what the hell is going on here?



It's not exactly a new phenomenon in southern Florida for the Marlins to have a fire sale, and then end up winning a World Series title. They've already done it twice, and though it's not the normal formula for success in baseball, it works for them. If it ain't broke, why fix it?

Still, I don't think the Marlins are built for the long haul (sorry, Marlins fans...both of you). They've gotten some solid pitching, and are hitting the long ball, but they're in the middle of the pack in a lot of key stats and that doesn't make me think they're going to stick around. They're in the middle of the NL when it comes to batting average, OBP, ERA, opponent's OBP, and WHIP.

The Marlins have proven the doubters wrong before, though, so I wouldn't be surprised by anything. Burke Badenhop gets the start for Florida tonight, and he'll be facing Aaron Harang, who has gotten off to a 1-5 start this season despite a 3.09 ERA.

Minnesota Twins (19-17) vs. Boston Red Sox (24-16) - ESPN - 7:05PM Est.

A big reason the Twins have been able to move past the loss of Johan Santana this season, and stay atop the AL Central, has been Santana's replacement as the staff ace, Livan Hernandez. While the Twins brought Hernandez in as somebody they knew could eat innings, and keep the team in the game, I don't think they expected what they've gotten so far.

The former World Series MVP (with one of those aforementioned Marlins teams) is off to a 5-1 start, and is coming off of a complete game against the White Sox. Of course, in Livan's last two starts against the Red Sox, he's 0-2 with a 12.78 ERA.

The Red Sox will send Clay Bucholz to the mound, who only lasted four innings in his last start, and got shellacked by the Tigers. It's Clay's first career start against Minnesota.

Tampa Bay Rays (21-16) vs. New York Yankees (19-19) - 7:10PM Est.

We're only about a quarter of the way into the 2008 season, but I think it's safe to say that this has already been the most successful season in the history of the Tampa Bay franchise. They're currently five games over .500 for the first time in the team's existence. They've also set a club record with nine straight home wins, and look to make it ten tonight.
Too bad tonight they'll be facing a team they've lost their last four against.

Matt Garza starts for Tampa, and he's coming off his best start of the season, as he went 6.2 innings against the Blue Jays and allowed only one run. He still lost the game, though. In his only start against the Yankees, as a Twin last season, Garza allowed five runs and seven hits in 4.2 innings.

Andy Pettite goes for the Bombers, and though he's struggled lately, the Rays often make the best medicine. He's 14-3 against them in his career, including an 8-1 record and 3.30 ERA in eleven starts down in Tampa.

Everybody Else

• Pirates vs. Braves - Game 1 12:35PM
  
• Indians vs. Blue Jays - Game 1 4:05PM
• Pirates vs. Braves - Game 2 4:05PM
• Mets vs. Nationals 7:10PM
• Indians vs. Blue Jays - Game 2 7:35PM
• Brewers vs. Cardinals 8:05PM
• Rangers vs. Mariners 8:05PM
• Cubs. vs Padres 8:05PM
• Angels vs. White Sox 10:05PM
• Giants vs. Astros 10:15PM