Marlins magic is done

The Marlins are mathematically still in the wild card race, but you cannot realistically involve them in the race for anything other than spoiler at this point. Even as a fan.

The Marlins are now 3 games out, losing in extra innings to the Mets who may have already nailed the coffin down even tighter on this 2005 season for the Marlins.

This team has not played consistently enough to assert its position, despite taking over the lead of the wild card race when Dontrelle Willis got his 20th win of the season. It wasn't that long ago either, only 2 series back against the Astros, as the Marlins took the first two games of that series.

Then the Phillies rolled into town, and instead of exacting revenge for the poor showing the Marlins had in Philly, they blew a 2-0 lead with Willis on the mound to lose the game in the top of the 9th inning. If that is even possible, but the Phillies put a 10-spot on the board to rip the game out of the Marlins' collective jaws.

That may have killed the season. But the Marlins bounced back the next day and beat the Phillies to avoid the sweep. That damage, it seems has already been done.

The loss to the Mets last night at Shea may just be piling the dirt. It looks bleak, and although the Marlins are still in the race, it just seems like it would take a miracle - bigger than Bartman - to get it done.