Jake Burger’s Stellar Performance in St. Louis

If the Miami Marlins want to climb out of their early-season hole, they’ll need the duo of Jake Burger and Josh Bell, who went back-to-back in the fifth inning, to lead the way as they did upon arrival in Miami following last year’s trade deadline. Through eight games this season, Burger has amassed 10 RBIs, making him one of just four Major Leaguers in double digits. Since being acquired last August, Burger has hit .310/.361/.515 with 14 doubles, 11 homers, and 38 RBIs in 61 games as a Marlin. This level of production has been sorely missed within the organization since its initial rebuild in 2018.

Marlins’ Pitching Struggles and Early-Season Woes

However, the Marlins’ early successes have been overshadowed by their pitching struggles. After left-hander Ryan Weathers allowed three runs over five innings, the bullpen unraveled in the seventh with Miami holding a two-run lead, leading to a 6.58 ERA for the season. The Marlins’ pitching woes have contributed to their 0-8 start, the first team to drop eight games in a row at the beginning of a season since the 2016 Braves and Twins. Miami has been outscored 59-29 so far in 2024, highlighting the urgent need for improvement on the mound.

The Path Forward for the Marlins

Despite the challenging start, the Marlins have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly from Burger. “He’s been nothing but special for us, honestly,” manager Skip Schumaker said. Burger’s impressive performance, combined with a focus on improving pitching, could help the Marlins turn their season around. As they look to bounce back, the team’s ability to leverage its young talent and address its pitching issues will be crucial in escaping the early-season hole they find themselves in.