Marlins Getting No Love From Oddsmakers After Disappointing 67 Win Season

The Miami Marlins are a boom or bust team to keep an eye on this year in the MLB. They managed to make the playoffs for the first time in 17 back in 2020. Only to lose 95 games last year. They suffered through too many pitching injuries to overcome and their tepid lineup was unable to fill in. Things got so bad that Derek Jeter stepped down as the team’s CEO and sold his stake in the franchise.

The scouting reports on this team all read very similarly. Many are impressed with their rotation, and minor league pitching. But, their offense is a bit of a liability and cannot have a start like they had last year.  

The one thing that I love about the Marlins is their youth. This is why I wouldn’t be too upset if I were a Marlins fan right now. Yes, last year was a grind. But I see this team growing over the offseason and taking a lot of lessons from their disappointing 2021 campaign. In my eyes, they are set up very well to develop into a contender over the next couple of seasons. But, what about this year? 

Well, as far as betting goes, 77.5 is a pretty low bar to hit. They drastically underperformed last year and won 67 games. They also kind of went into full tank mode once Starling Marte and Adam Duvall were traded at the deadline. 

But, again, this team is full of talent and potential. As an optimist, I’m inclined to trust that the Marlins don’t crap the bed again in 2022. Young pitching talent such as Sandy Alcantara and Trevor Rodgers could turn this franchise around in a hurry if they pan out. Alcantara already looks like an ace in spring training. He has pitched seven innings in two starts and allowed just one baserunner. Granted, that one hit was a home run, but everyone gets tagged sometimes. I love that he hasn’t given up a walk yet while striking out five. 

The Marines also did, shall we say a decent job, at bringing on some offensive firepower. The Marlins need it after finishing 27th in batting average, 29th in on-base percentage, and 29th in OPS last year. Former World Series MVP Jorge Soler is the big signing for Miami, but they also napped Avisail Garcia and Joey Wendle to help bolster this lineup.

It almost pains me to say this, but I think the fish have a good thing going this year. They have, potentially, a very good rotation if Alcantara produces. And while their offense will still struggle to be average, they won’t be in the bottom five of the league again. I feel good about taking over as things stand right now for Miami with a few weeks left before Opening Day.