The Marlins played flat in their series against the Nationals over the weekend at Land Shark Stadium. Even in their one victory on Saturday night.
They went on the road to play the Cardinals, which was a tough task since the Cards play well at Busch Stadium.
They needed to win a series over there to keep their playoff hopes alive.
They did just that Wednesday afternoon at St. Louis by achieving a 5-2 victory.
With the Rockies going on a rare slump, the Marlins needed to take advantage of it, and they did so by keeping their deficit to five games and picked up another game last night to trail by four games in the wild-card race.
One thing about this Marlins team. They play well against the elite teams of baseball, but they play at the level of bad teams when they face losing teams, and that could cost them a playoff spot.
Maybe we shouldn't have been surprised at what took place at St. Louis, and we shouldn't be surprised if the Marlins accomplish a split or lose three of four to the Reds when the weekend is over.
It's what a young team does.
It also says how this team needs to grow up and realize the importance of beating up the bad teams. Beating up bad teams makes a difference between a playoff team and a team sitting at home after game 162.
The Marlins get an opportunity again to learn from their mistakes by facing the Reds, and this time, they need to finish the deal by taking three out of four.
Splits can't do at this time of the year, and we harped about how taking two out of three against bad teams can destroy a team's playoff hopes.
The Reds played the Rockies last week, and they failed to play the role of spoilers. Not only did they get swept, but they played like they did not care either.
The Marlins need to make sure they don't give an opportunity for the Reds to win at all in any of the four games. Even if a team doesn't care, they can still win if the other team plays bad, and that's where the Marlins need to avoid doing.
We keep waiting for the Marlins to just give in, and end their pursuit, but they haven't, and it's a credit to them.
To be four games out of the race with two more weeks to go is a good situation for any team to be in even though it would be even better if the team took the lead.
It's better than being behind by six or seven games.
Their chances are still slim at this point. The Marlins are battling with two teams for the wild-card race, and that's not going to be easy.
The Rockies are formidable, and even if they start sliding, the Giants won't be easy with their starting trio out there. With the playoffs on the line, don't be surprised if Bruce Bochy starts pitching Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain on three days' rest.
Still anytime a team plays important games, it's a great thing.
What the Marlins need to do is continue to keep winning and avoid slip-ups.
They can start this weekend at Cincinnati.
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