Opportunity Knocks

Knock knock...

No, this is not some bad joke, it is the NL Wild Card race. And boy, is it wild.

The Marlins started out their road trip .5 games in back of the Astros. They go 6-5 against the Nationals, Phillies, and Astros and come back home, .5 games in back of the Astros.

Could it be worse? Oh yeah. They dropped 2 of three against the Phillies, and that let them back into the race. The Phillies went on to beat the Braves 3 out of 4 times. The loss today to Atlanta is what kept this from being 'worse'.

Yet, there is providence in all of this. Because it could be a lot worse - the Astros could have swept the Brewers and could be further ahead right now - and it isn't, the Marlins still have hope. Opportunity is knocking, and it is time for the Marlins to answer the door.

Standing outside and ringing the doorbell is the Phillies. They arrive into Miami tomorrow for a 3 game weekend fling. If it goes well, it is a 2 team race. If it goes bad, well, it is still a two team race. Just without the Marlins, quite possibly.

Opportunity is also knocking on an individual level: Brian Moehler is ushered back into the starting rotation and the Marlins are hoping for a 'vintage' quality start from Moehler, circa the All Star Break. There is hope there as well, Moehler has a pretty solid ERA at home (3.66, away it is 4.39) and if the Marlins can generate some runs, they could set themselves up for a sweep.

And how opportunistic would that be. Time to get the door.