Living Up To The Billing

When we were creating this blog and thinking of potential names and tag-lines for it, one of the tag-lines I coined was "Pitching, no defense, and the solo homer," of course a parody of the famous Earl Weaver winning baseball philosophy. I don't even mean it as a joke, it does accurately depict what the Marlins have been about since the beginning of last year. If spring training is any indication (it's not) then the first third of that philosophy is down pat. Below are updates on three of the projected starters.

Ricky Nolasco had a good performance that most will not know of because it came in a simulated game on one of the back fields of the Jupiter complex. He reportedly threw very well and felt great throwing between 80-85 pitches and allowing just a few hits in six innings of work.

Josh Johnson went five strong innings on Wednesday allowing just one run while mowing down seven Nationals hitters. He also got a base hit off friend and ex-teammate Scott Olsen, which I'm sure he's more happy about.

Chris Volstad followed on Thursday with four scoreless innings against the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. He allowed just one baserunner, a single by Geoff Jenkins if I recall correctly, and struck out three.

Trying not to fumble the baton will be Andrew Miller, who will start today's game against the Atlanta Braves. As I wrote earlier, he could use a solid outing.