As the white-hot Heat continues to trek toward the NBA Finals in pursuit of its second consecutive league championship, it’s easy to forget that just two and a half miles west of the American Airlines Arena, Miami’s professional baseball team is also working toward its third championship in franchise history. At presstime, however, the Miami Marlins are *CK: nine and a half games back from first. In fact, they’re the worst team in baseball. The Fish have yet to win back-to-back games this season, and rumors of team owner Jeffrey Loria clashing heads with Marlins manager Mike Redmond are beginning to swirl. According to Yahoo! Sports, Loria asked Redmond to start rookie pitcher Jose Fernandez instead of ace Ricky Nolasco in the first game of a recent double-header against the Minnesota Twins. The team lost 3-4, though Nolasco saved the Fish from drowning in game two. “[Redmond] was embarrassed,” a source said. “He tried to fight it. He had nothing to do with it.” The Marlins will kick off a nine-game homestand Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds. Game one of the three-game series begins at 7:10 p.m., and select seats are considerably less expensive than usual. Jeffrey Loria is not only an astute baseball team owner and art collector, but also a master marketer. Lexus Legends Silver, Baseline Reserved, Bullpen Reserved, and Home Run Porch tickets are half-price for each Tuesday home game this season.
Tue., May 14, 7:10 p.m., 2013