Chisholm, Marlins set to take on the Braves

Bahamian professional baseball player Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm hasn’t played at all thus far this postseason, but Bahamians everywhere are optimistic that he will be able to see some game action as the division series get underway.

Chisholm made an appearance in 24 games for the Miami Marlins during a 60-game shortened COVID-19 season in Major League Baseball (MLB). Against all odds, undergoing a severe COVID-19 outbreak at the beginning of the season, the Marlins endured significant player movement and player transactions to qualify for the postseason, finishing as one of the top eight teams in the National League (NL).

As a result of a number of postponements, they ended the season with 28 games in 24 days, then took care of the NL Central Division Champions Chicago Cubs in the world card round of the playoffs, sweeping that series two games to none. Once again, just like they were in 1997 and again in 2003, the Marlins are the Cinderella story of the playoffs, and they’ve already validated that tag, taking care of the Cubs in a two-game sweep. The Marlins are seeded sixth while the Cubs were seeded third.

It doesn’t get any easier for them with the NL East Division Champions Atlanta Braves looming, but if the Marlins don’t win another game this postseason, they’re already the “feel good” story of 2020 – a year in which the novel coronavirus COVID-19 swooped in and disrupted sports worldwide. They face the Braves in game one at 2:08 p.m. in Houston, Texas today.

The Marlins lost the season series to the Braves six games to four this year, and finished in second place, four games behind the Braves in the race for the NL East Division title.

It’s been a roller coaster ride for them this season. They won seven out of eight out of the gate, then dropped eight out of 10, including five straight, and remained around the .500 mark ever since, ending the season with a 31-29 win-loss record. It was their first winning season since 2009 and came a year after they finished an NL worst 57-105. The Marlins became the first NL team, and second in all of baseball, to make the playoffs after a 100-loss season, and the first to win a postseason series after having a 100-loss season.

As for Chisholm, he struggled at the plate but thrived defensively.

He had a stretch where he was hitless in 19 at-bats but ended the season with a 2-for-4 performance against the New York Yankees in which he had a two-run double and a solo home run. He finished with three RBIs and two runs scored. For the season, Chisholm, 22, batted .161 with two home runs and six RBIs. He had nine hits in 56 at-bats, five bases on balls, two stolen bases and scored eight runs. He ended the season with a .242 on-base percentage (OBP) and a .563 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).

Defensively, Chisholm had 25 putouts, 43 assists, an error and was a part of 13 double plays. He had a fielding percentage of 1.000 at second base and .962 at shortstop. Chisholm started 11 games at second base this season and six at shortstop.

The Marlins are still yet to lose a postseason series, a perfect 7-0 in their three trips to the playoffs. They won the World Series in 1997 and again in 2003.

Led by manager Don Mattingly and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Derek Jeter, they are achieving the unthinkable – now one of eight teams remaining in the playoffs.

“The one thing that we talked about all year was why not us,” Mattingly asked. “With this kind of pitching, you can do anything. You feel like you’ve got a good shot at kind of stopping almost anybody if you make pitches.”

The Marlins’ young guns have been fantastic, particularly late in the season.

Sandy Alcántara, just 25, had a 2.30 ERA (earned run average) during the month of September and turned in quality starts five straight times. He’s pitched at least six innings in six of his seven starts this season, and only really had one bad appearance – on August 30, when he gave up six hits and eight runs (five earned) in just four innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rookie Sixto Sánchez, just 22, finished the shortened season with a 3-2 record with a 3.46 ERA in seven starts. His changeup has been his go-to pitch as opponents only registered eight hits (all singles) in 54 at-bats off that pitch (.148), with 18 strikeouts (31.6 strikeout percentage). He’s had significant success facing left-handed hitters as they are batting just .232 off him.

Pablo López, 24, provide the Marlins with another quality starter, turning in a 6-4 record for the season with a 3.61 ERA in 11 starts. After an abysmal performance against the Braves in early September, he went 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA. During that span, he only allowed eight hits and three earned runs.

At the plate, the Marlins’ hitters could hit for average, with eight batters with at least 100 plate appearances hitting north of .250.

Their regular infield intact, with Miguel Rojas at shortstop and Jon Berti at second base, but don’t be surprised if Chisholm gets some playing time at some point this postseason, particularly for defensive purposes. His defense has been superb with his 1.000 fielding percentage at second base and .962 at shortstop, and just one error in 69 opportunities.

On top of that, Chisholm has turned in a few highlight reel plays including one over the shoulder running grab that was selected as ESPN SportsCenter’s number one play of the evening on September 6.

All of the games in the division series are being held in pandemic-prompted “bubbles.”

The Marlins’ series with the Braves get underway at 2:08 p.m. today at the Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Game two is set for Wednesday at the same time, and game three will be held on Thursday at the same time.

The Marlins will start Alcántara in game one, López in game two and Sánchez will be the game three starter. All three are right-handed pitchers.

The post Chisholm, Marlins set to take on the Braves appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

source https://thenassauguardian.com/chisholm-marlins-set-to-take-on-the-braves/