NL East still close after two months

May 23, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder

(27) connects for a solo home run during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Marlins

The Marlins continue to ride their home winning advantage as they sit in second place in the division.  Their 20-11 home record at home is the best in baseball, although their 8-17 road record is still the worst in baseball.  With more road victories, Miami could creep up into one of the two wild card spots or possibly overtake Atlanta at some point within the NL East.

Last week the Marlins won two games against the Nationals with a third game rained out and being made up in September.  Miami then was swept at home by Atlanta, a rare occurrence this season for the Marlins.  They failed to make a push for the division lead with the sweep, but are still only three games back as they sit at 28-28 overall.

Miami will play a home and home series against the Tampa Bay Rays starting on Monday.  They host two games, then travel a few hours north to play at Tropicana Field for two games.  The Marlins conclude the week with a road trip to Chicago to take on the last place Cubs.  Miami could get back on track playing two struggling teams and keeping pace with Atlanta.

No surprises with Giancarlo Stanton – he has 16 home runs which is the third most in baseball and 51 RBI which is second most in baseball.  Nelson Cruz, Josh Donaldson, and Edwin Encarnacion are the only hitters keeping pace with Stanton in those categories so far.  Stanton also has 34 walks, tied for sixth in MLB.  It is no surprise that teams do not want to pitch to Miami’s best hitter.

Cy Young candidate Jose Fernandez’s season may be over after Tommy John surgery a few weeks ago, but the Marlins have been able to keep pace without him.  Nathan Eovaldi has a 4-2 record with a 3.24 ERA and 61 strikeouts.  Mike Dunn and closer Steve Cishek both have four wins as well, a sign that the Marlins are able to come back late in the game.  Cishek also has 11 saves, and Miami would like his saves to pile up more so than his win total to prevent late game drama.

The Marlins also have the second overall pick in the upcoming First-Year Player Draft.  They have three of the top 43 choices and could find some talent to supplement the young core already in the big leagues.  Miami received a compensatory first-round pick at 36 since they did not sign their 2013 pick in Matt Krook who failed his physical.