Miami Marlins Betting – New-Look Marlins Need Time To Come Together
One of the most intriguing MLB betting options for this year’s World Series is Miami, formerly known as the Florida Marlins, and the Marlins made a series moves to show that they were going to be a player this season. However, it takes teams some time to gel and truly become a World Series contender and the Marlins may be overvalued this season.
Lineup
The Marlins flirted with Albert Pujols, but the future Hall of Fame slugger went to Los Angeles to join the Angels. Instead, they picked up a player that was familiar to them in the National League East as shortstop Jose Reyes (formerly of the New York Mets) signed with the new-look Marlins, and he gives them, when he is motivated and happy, the best leadoff player in the game. However, you have to keep Reyes motivated and that isn’t always the easiest thing in the world. Also, Reyes has to stay healthy to be effective for a Marlins lineup that was 22nd in batting average and 23rd in runs scored.
Rightfielder Giancarlo Stanton just turned 22 in November, but he lit up the big leagues with 34 homers and 87 RBIs last year. Now the question is, can he do it when the rest of the league knows how powerful he is? Also, can he recover from a few spring-training injuries?
Another major question is Hanley Ramirez, who was switched from shortstop to third to accommodate Reyes, and right now it appears as though he is content with his new position. When he is ready to go, Ramirez is an All-Star and he was reportedly unhappy with the move to third, but has come around since. The Marlins will need him, along with outfielders Logan Morrison and Emilio Bonifacio.
Pitching
Pitching is where the Marlins are looking to significantly improve their MLB betting chances from the mound, signing free agents Mark Buerhle (who spent his entire career with Guillen and the White Sox), Carlos Zambrano (a former Cub) and Heath Bell (the ex-Padre). Buerhle adds a veteran lefty arm to a rotation that has a chance to be strong, but it can also implode. Josh Johnson is coming back from a shoulder injury which ended his 2011 campaign in May, you never know what kind of performance you’re going to get from Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez was having problems with his shoulder in the spring, and Zambrano is a hothead (it’ll be interesting to see him in the a clubhouse with new manager Ozzie Guillen). Buerhle is coming from the American League, and he may be the steadiest option the Marlins have.
Bell gives the Marlins a legitimate 40-save closer, but there isn’t a lot of consistency in front of him. Steve Cishek is the closer of the future, and he and Edward Mujica are the setup men for Bell, although they’re both right-handers. The Marlins do have a couple southpaw options in the bullpen, but Cishek and Mujica are, hands down, the best that Miami has.
Intangibles
Guillen brings a feisty energy to the Marlins after seven seasons and a World Series with the White Sox, but he was also a coach on the Florida Marlins team that won the World Series in 2003, so this isn’t a new area to him. But there are high hopes in Miami with a new stadium, money to spend on free agents and a move to a new city, and Guillen has to be able to manage all that while staying competitive in the tough East.
Guillen’s biggest mission and the key to Miami’s MLB betting odds will be keeping the clubhouse together. The Reyes/Ramirez issue seems to be solved, but you never know when it’s going to flare up. As for Zambrano, he could toss a no-hitter and then fight a reporter in the post-game conference. Guillen has to let these personalities express themselves, but rein them in when needed. The players are veterans themselves, but Guillen has to take control of the room early.
How It Will Play Out
Miami is rated at +1400 according to MLB betting odds to win the World Series, and a wild-card spot is well within their reach. But the Marlins have to battle with Philadelphia and Atlanta in the East, and even Washington is considered to be one of the up-and-coming teams.
Let the Marlins come together for a season before you bet on their World Series odds; it’s rare that a team goes through such a large transformation before they begin to win and the Marlins essentially changed their identity, from their city to uniforms to players to their manager. They’re a definite threat to make it to the postseason via the wild card, but right now, we would stay away from Miami’s World Series odds in your online betting book.