On The Field
The Marlins played seven games this week, including two series against the Braves and Cardinals.
Miami started their week off with a Monday game against the Padres, a home contest the Fish won 4-3. That game was also the last in a series of four.
A series against the Braves kicked off on Tuesday. The Marlins took two of three from Atlanta, a series win made more impressive by the fact that this was an away series for Miami.
Friday started off a weekend series against the Cardinals. The Marlins would drop all three games against St. Louis, putting their record on the week at 3-4.
Fish Stripes Coverage
Nolasco Dealt
The Marlins found a suitor for Ricky Nolasco, sending the righty to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a package of three prospects. Miami was expected to move Nolasco at this point in the season, figuring to get some budding talent in return.
What they got was two bullpen arms in Josh Wall and Steven Ames in addition to a possible starting talent in Angel Sanchez. Sanchez was the Dodgers' eighth best prospect. He wields a solid repertoire, including a 93 mph fastball (of four-seam and sinker variety) along with a change-up and slider that hover around the lower 80's.
The Marlins' decision to deal Nolasco to LA, considered a matter of time by most in the business, represented Miami's second dealing with the Dodgers in as many years. The theme seems to be: pitching prospects.
Last year, the Marlins decided to part ways with Hanley Ramirez, sending the talented short stop to the Dodgers (along with Randy Choate) for a pair of arms highlighted by Nathan Eovaldi. Eovaldi was the Dodgers' third best prospect going into the 2012 season.
Fish Stripes' own Michael Jong took a look at the trade, including some takes at whether or not the Marlins' received anything close to fair value.
Fernandez an All-Star
Jose Fernandez has been more than a glimmer in an otherwise dark season for the Marlins. He's been among the league's brightest young stars, quickly becoming a must-see when he hits the mound.
Fernandez is, to say the least, deserving of his all-star selection. His stats tell that story loudly enough.
What makes his selection even more interesting is the fact that the Marlins' young ace wasn't even supposed to be playing in the big leagues this year. He was slated to begin 2013 in the minors and work his way up. All of a sudden, Nathan Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez end up on the disabled list. The Marlins were essentially left with no other choice.
"Things happened, and I got a chance to pitch," Fernandez said in interview with MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. "Everybody knows I was not supposed to start with the team this year. Now, I have a chance to be on the All Star team."
Not bad for a 20-year-old.
Plays of the Week-All Defense Edition
-Giancarlo Stanton helps to preserve the Marlins' slim lead in the bottom of the ninth, hustling for this difficult catch.
-Ed Lucas tracks down a grounder, underhands it to Derek Dietrich, who rifled it to first for the double play. It feels like this was the 2000th double play the Cardinals batted into this season.
-Adeiny Hechavarria tracking down this ball, laced off the bat of Jason Heyward, for a spectacular leaping catch.
-Marcel Ozuna covers a lot of ground to make this back-handed grab against the Cardinals.
-Though not quite a play, Jose Fernandez deserves another hand for being the Marlins' lone All-Star selection.
Coming Up
The upcoming week will feature two home series for Miami.
The Marlins start their week off with a home game against the Braves today. Kevin Slowey, filling in for Nolasco, takes the mound for Miami while Mike Minor gets the start for Atlanta.
Going into the weekend, there will be two games of note for the Marlins. On Friday, Nathan Eovaldi will get starting pitcher duties against the Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals. On Saturday, Jose Fernandez is projected to start against Nationals ace Jordan Zimmermann.
Barring any setbacks or extra rest on either end, Marlins fans should expect to be treated to two straight games of elite pitching.