Ozzie Guillen plays down Philadelphia Phillies as being threat for Miami Marlins this season - MLB
As dominant as Philadelphia Phillies have been in National League Division for the last many seasons, this year is a different story. Marlins, which bore the brunt of Phillies’ formidable line-up in last few seasons, as their manager Ozzie Guillen explains
the transformation Marlins have experienced and how they will prove to be a tougher opposition this year for them.
“It’s a different ballclub,” Guillen said. “We’ve got a better ballclub this year than we did last year.”
The fact that the Phillies confront injury problems and one of their best hitters, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, are out for the same reason, their offence is not as great as it was last year.
On the other hand, Marlins have added three all-stars to their roster and both Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez form one of the most competent pairs at shortstop and third base in the season, indeed they are a different side.
Same was evident from the game which saw Marlins defeating Phillies easily.
Despite the fact that Phillies’ pitchers were better theoretically the Marlins handled them professionally and thus exhibited the improvements they have made from last year.
Marlins’ left-fielder Logan Morrison however still believes Phillies are a team with quality hitters. He maintains that the kind of pitchers they have can easily make up for any deficiency however prevailing in their offence.
“They’ve still got guys in that lineup that can do damage, and they don’t really need to do much damage with the pitching they have,’’ Morrison said.
Starters Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels certainly possess enough to restore the pride they enjoyed in the NL League East Division from a couple of years back.
The issue stresses on equally competent pitchers that the Marlins have added to their rotation, thus offsetting any possible impact coming off the Phillies.
For example, Anibal Sanchez, Josh Johnson and closer Heath Bell all hold great career records to back up Marlins.
Thus, manager Guillen has every reason to believe in the superiority of his side at-least on papers. Only thing he will look to see from his players is they standing up consistently.
For as long as players keep making contributions the way they did in their series opener against Phillies, Marlins will not have trouble knocking them down in the season.
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