Hotlanta, a Road Trip with the Marlins 😠

Pheww, what a difference a week makes sometimes in Major League Baseball. The Marlins found this out firsthand, after riding so much momentum since late June (a complete 180 of the first 3 months to the 2025 Season), finishing off a Sweep of the New York Yankees at home. The Fightn' Fish then dropped a Series to the Houston Astros in Miami, though at the very least capturing the finale to secure yet another Winning home stand.

Next came a 5 Game Series at the Atlanta Braves, with a Double-Header on Saturday thanks to a postponed Game all the way back in early April. If you thought Atlanta's Roster was weak then, try going into this weekend Series against the Fish without Austin Riley, Ronald Acuña (who was out in April as well), not having to face Spencer Strider. You would think the Marlins would be in prime position to continue to make up ground in the Wild Card race against the 47-66 Braves. Especially seeing as the New York Mets got swept right out of Milwaukee this weekend. Well think again.

The Marlins would drop Game 1 Thursday, after leading 6-2 entering the Bottom of the 6th. Following a gem of a Pitching performance by Edward Cabrera on Friday, the Fish evened up the Series with 3 Games to play in 2 days in the A.T.L. I made the mistake of driving all the way to Atlanta late Friday night to catch some of the action. 

The Marlins got swept in the Double-Header on Saturday!! Trailing in Game One 3-1 at the time after newly acquired Eric Otero concluded a decent Pitching performance, it began to look as though the Fish were attempting a comeback in the 7th Inning, having the first 2 batters reach with nobody out. Dane Myers, whose in an incredible slump (if only the Marlins had a Right Fielder who could man that Position vs all Righty Pitchers, oh yeah they Traded Jesus Sanchez less than 2 weeks ago), was up in the most of obvious bunting situations. Not only did the Marlins not bunt with Myers, he grounded into a double-play, erasing any momentum the Fish had.

To make matters extremely worse, the Fish summoned George Soriano (who had ZERO business back in the Big Leagues, only seeing as he had pitched to a 7.31 MLB ERA over his last 34 Big League Games dating parts of 2 Seasons) to boot. Soriano served up 4 Runs in the 7th, making it a 7-1 Braves lead and Win. I was done, and saw newcomer Tyler Zuber pitching the bottom of the 8th (instead of leaving Soriano in, already down 7-1), as I was exiting the ballpark.

I caught Game Two of the twin-bill at the hotel near the stadium, seeing as this was going to be an all baseball weekend. Sandy Alcantara couldn't hold a 4-0 Lead, going with the exact game plan he's had all Season. Alcantara now finds himself with a 6-11 Record and 6.55 ERA (leading the League in Earned Runs ALLOWED) this Year. Don't know if he's hurt and is feeling something when he let's the fastball go (has touched 100 MPH in 2025), but the Marlins can not continue to run him out there if they're serious about staying in this Playoff race. Then again money talks, as you can clearly see the Fish are doing everything possible to raise any kind of trade value for Alcantara heading into the Off-Season, seeing as they COULD NOT find a Trade partner 2 weeks ago. Alcantara is scheduled to make over $20 Million Dollars from here through 2026.

Against my better judgement, I decided to catch the finale of the 5 Game Series, trying to see if the Marlins could at least salvage a couple Games and head to Ohio 2-3 to conclude the first leg of a 3 city/11 Game Road-Trip. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. 

Scorching hot to begin his Big league Career Jakob Marsee was left out of the starting Lineup. Myers found himself batting 5th (he's batting Cleanup tonight). Cal Quantrill was lifted in a 1-1 Game after throwing 47 pitches before the 5th Inning. Zuber was summoned to face the top of Atlanta's order and appear in his 5th MLB Game since the year 2021. What was a 3-1 Game again by the 7th Inning stretch, turned to 6-1 on this swing 4 batters into the bottom of the 7th.

With everyone in the ballpark following the track of the ball, the guy with the orange hat didn't turn once.

I had seen enough.. Lake Bachar & Calvin Faucher, considered 2 of 4 late Inning Relievers the Fish have gone with of late to close out Games, inexplicably entered for the first time in 3 Games while the Club trailed 7-1. Ronny Henriquez & Anthony Bender (who was on the paternity list Saturday and Sunday) didn't throw a single pitch after Thursday. An absolute disastrous trip to Georgia for the Marlins.

As for me? Despite the horrid baseball and administration on behalf of the Marlins. The Battery Atlanta was pretty cool (saw the first half of Sunday's Game just outside Truist Park on a massive screen, and less than 2 Innings inside), while the company was great. I can't complain.

The Fish open up a 3 Game Series in Cleveland just 6 Games out of a Playoff spot. That's not too shabby either, all things considered. Let's Go Marlins!!!