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MLB: NL East Preseason Division Predictions

By Matt Meffe

Aug 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) reacts with center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) after hitting a two RBI home run during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) reacts with center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) after hitting a two RBI home run during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Third Place: Miami Marlins

Projected Record: 83-79

Last season was a tough, but promising season for the Miami Marlins. Miami hovered around .500 until July, but a 16-10 record in July helped them break out in the NL East. The Marlins kept an above-.500 record from April to the early portion of September, and were involved in the NL Wild Card race. A rough month of August (10-18 record), however, turned their season around, and their momentum was lost from there until the end of the year. The biggest blow to the team came in late September, when it was announced star pitcher Jose Fernandez was tragically killed. It was during that week the Marlins were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

This year, the Marlins enter the season with two new additions to their rotation: Dan Straily, who broke out as the Reds ace in 2016, and Edinson Volquez, who is coming off a down year in Kansas City. Volquez has a lower career ERA in the National League than the American League, so that will definitely be an advantage. Last year, the Marlins led the NL East and were second in the NL in batting average, but they were also among the lowest-scoring major league teams. Their lineup didn’t change in the offseason, but a fully healthy roster, along with a solid pitching rotation may help the Marlins make a splash in 2017.

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