Two areas scuffling the worst

 With a 2-9 record, there are likely to be many culprits, but as it happens, there are some players performing well, like Frank Sohn, Edwin Encarnacion and Manny Parra. Unfortunately, the 2-4 hitters in the lineup, generally expected to be a source of productivity, and the back end of the bullpen can be singles out as being thorns in side of the team’s success. Make no mistake, this is a team with a lot of warts, but some better performances from these important spots and the team would be much more respectable.

The two most recent games have been blown by Brian Matusz and Braden Shipley who, on back to back days gave up 2 home runs and sacrificed a lead on games the Palms ultimately lost. Shipley has had a very rough season, posting an ERA above 10 so far tis season. Matusz hasn’t been much better, but the spotlight has ben on him, working in situations where games are close and late. His failures are much more glaring.

Before those two tough games from the bullpen, Miami scored three runs in four games. A huge hole has existed near the top of the lineup, where Yasmani Grandal and Jaspero Gonzalez are producing averages below the Mendoza line, while Pat Grant has barely scratched over that level. There is good ability to get on base by this squad, but to date, the team hasn’t been able to convert that into runs, and a big part of that is the lack of success from their biggest bats. Edwin Encarnacion is doing well, but is stymied by the lack of production in front of him.

These two facets of the team can sort things out, and the organization has faith that they will do so, but they better do it quickly, because at 7 games under .500, things are already getting late early.

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