MIAMI — Asking the query, “What if?” is a harmful recreation to play, nevertheless it’s an unavoidable one when wanting again on the 2022 Marlins.
Following an prolonged lockout, the large league squad convened on the Spring Coaching advanced in Jupiter, Fla., with hopes of protecting tempo within the extremely aggressive Nationwide League East. Seven months later, the Braves (101-61), Mets (101-61) and Phillies (87-75) secured postseason berths, whereas the fourth-place Marlins (69-93) misplaced simply two fewer video games than in 2021.
Quite than battling by means of the group’s second playoff run previously three seasons, Miami settled for spoiling Milwaukee’s shot at an NL Wild Card and New York’s likelihood at a division crown, although it watched as Atlanta celebrated its fifth consecutive NL East title.
“It makes you surprise a bit of bit, if we might’ve stayed wholesome, would we’ve got been in a greater spot to not less than battle for a Wild Card?” supervisor Don Mattingly stated earlier within the week. “I am unsure we have been a 100-win membership, however I do suppose we might have been in a greater spot to be combating down this final week with Milwaukee, with Philly, San Diego — in that very same sort of realm of being not less than within the combine.”
Wednesday’s 12-9 victory over the Braves at loanDepot park felt just like the final day of college. Exams have been over. Yearbooks have been being signed. The result of the sport held little significance.
Mattingly, who felt a brand new voice was wanted on the helm after his seven-year tenure, upheld custom — outdoors of 2020 when the membership snapped a 16-year playoff drought — by handing the reins over to a Marlins veteran as player-manager. With Miguel Rojas present process proper wrist surgical procedure, Jacob Stallings obtained the glory. Joey Wendle acted as bench coach, Pablo López as pitching coach and Avisaíl García and Brian Anderson cut up hitting-coach duties.
Whereas the Braves sat practically all of their starters, the Marlins fielded an all-kid lineup outdoors of MLB stolen-base champion Jon Berti. Elieser Hernandez, who was demoted twice this season, obtained the nod on the mound with ace Sandy Alcantara shut down over the weekend after an MLB-high 228 2/3 innings. Additionally relegated to spectator standing have been All-Stars Jazz Chisholm Jr. (again/knee) and Garrett Cooper (pinkie) in addition to offseason acquisitions Jorge Soler (again) and García.
Stallings’ one objective was for the gamers to be ok with the best way their season ended. That occurred with a season-high-tying run complete at house, together with two-run pictures from rookies Nick Fortes and Peyton Burdick.
“That was my first time taking part in 162 video games in a baseball season, so it has been a protracted season for positive,” stated Burdick, who collected three hits and 4 RBIs. “I’ve undoubtedly realized essentially the most as a baseball participant this season. It undoubtedly does really feel like faculty’s out a bit of bit. If you’re a bit of child, you get out of college and also you’re loopy for summer time, however I am simply excited to have the ability to loosen up for a bit of bit after which get to work and determine some stuff out this offseason.”
Coming into the 2022 finale, Miami’s beginning pitching posted a 12.3 WAR — twelfth in MLB. 9 of the groups with higher numbers are headed to the playoffs. However the lack of offense (88 wRC+, twenty fifth in MLB) — whether or not or not it’s on account of damage or underperformance — was an excessive amount of to beat, particularly with the fourth-worst second-half profitable proportion (.366).
Following the victory, Mattingly took his time within the handshake line to present every of his gamers a hug. Nearer Dylan Floro handed him the sport ball. Mattingly’s spouse and son have been there to greet him afterwards. Within the clubhouse postgame, gamers completed packing their lockers and started going their separate methods.
“We have been simply lacking so many key items at completely different occasions and simply by no means actually felt like we have been in a position to get in a groove,” stated Stallings, who was acquired in a commerce with the Pirates final November. “We have been proper there for a very long time, proper round .500 competing for the Wild Card spot. We have been proper there on the Commerce Deadline, after which simply felt like all people obtained harm on that highway journey and that type of simply did us in.
“I am actually optimistic. Any time we’ve got the arms that we’ve got, I imply, I might put our beginning rotation up towards anyone — and so they’re all so younger, too, in order that they’re simply going to get higher. I believe guys are undoubtedly optimistic.”
