Miami Marlins vs. Oakland Athletics: Three stories to watch
Channel: last videos
Date: 2017-06-14

Chiefly, I’m griping because it is a two-game series. Difficult to win, maddeningly frustrating to split, demoralizing if you lose- the upside is usually minimal. True, the Marlins are playing better than the A’s.

But there’s a lot of room for this to be treated as an opportunity to tread water before ten games that could define the direction the team chooses to take the rest of the season.  Split between off days as it is presents opportunities for distraction, or rest.

These games matter, as the Marlins are burning two of their top three starters on this two-game, interleague spat. Wins are at a premium with the Braves, Nationals, and Cubs all on deck- all teams that the club has had their troubles with in the past.

I’ll make this prediction right now. If the Marlins don’t win at least seven of their next twelve games, the towel is being thrown in by the front office.

So this series carries a fair amount of weight to it. That’s been said for awhile now, but it remains the case every time out. That’s the hole the Marlins have dug for themselves. Taking a series off is not an option. All that is needed is for a runaway contender to lose an outfielder to an injury to suddenly throw a glaring spotlight on just what this team really is.

However, overdramatized stakes aren’t the only reason to tune in for this midweek mini-showdown of the last two MLB teams to have played home games in a football stadium. From a resurgent ace’s prospects, to the return of a top slugger, to a potential showdown at second base, we’ve got you covered with your three Miami Marlins stories to watch.

Let’s dive in.Edinson Volquez looks to continue his red-hot stretch on the mound when his Miami Marlins host the Athletics on Wednesday afternoon in the finale of a two-game interleague set.

Volquez, who began the season 0-7, has strung together 16 straight scoreless innings that included a no-hitter against Arizona in his last home start and the veteran right-hander can extend his winning streak to four.

Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton belted a two-run homer in Tuesday’s 8-1 victory over Oakland in his return after missing most of the last two games with a wrist injury, as the Marlins won for the 11th time in 16 contests overall and the ninth time in their past 11 home contests.