Marlins First Homestand in Review

So the Marlins sit at 3-3 after their first homestand, a 6-game trek against the mighty Mets and lowly Pirates. All in all, the .500 record says it all: mediocre.

Just about everything went as expected when the general results are considered. If I had to guess on March 30th, I would have predicted a 2-1 series loss to the Mets and a 2-1 series win over the Pirates. Though a number of unexpected events (Andino walk-off HR, anyone?) made it possible, the end result is the same.

That is not to say mediocre is a bad thing. Mediocre may actually be an aspiration for this rebuilding squad, now short its two most recognizable faces after another salary dump. Throw in the decimated pitching staff and 3-3 doesn't look so bad.

It gets better. The touted NL East underperformed horribly during this stretch. Somehow, the Marlins are tied for first place at 3-3, with a golden opportunity in front of them (3 at the Nationals) to assert themselves. 5-4 would look nice. 6-3 even better.