Mash Unit

Right-fielder Jeremy Hermida had this to say about the Florida Marlins offense now that slugger Miguel Cabrera is a Detroit Tiger: “With losing Miggy ... we have different guys contribute every night, and that’s what we need.” On April 11, the Marlins set a franchise record by slugging six home runs in a win against the Houston Astros. Hermida himself began the onslaught in the third inning, followed by Jorge Cantu, Mike Rabelo, Hanley Ramirez, Hermida again, and then Mike Jacobs. Entering that series against Houston, the Marlins ranked second in the majors with 20 home runs in the first 10 games of the season. Yet with all of those balls flying all over the place, the Fish are still only batting a meager .200 with runners in scoring position, the fourth-worst in baseball.

After that initial Houston long-ball-a-palooza, Marlins hitters were held in check by Astros pitchers the rest of the series. It’s this kind of hitting variation that will have Florida seeing peaks and valleys all season. Still, the concerns about who’ll supply the offense in the first season sans Cabrera seem to be alleviated for now. Joe Torre and the Los Angeles Dodgers pay the Fish a visit tonight at Dolphin Stadium. Tickets start at nine bucks.
Wed., April 30, 2008