A few days following the All-Star break, and week 15 of Major League Baseball is about to be in full swing…
The ESPN Power Rankings have the Miami Marlins at #13 as they come out of a winning three game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Their current record is 49-42, and Monday they embark on a four-day series at Madison Bank Park against the Phillies. Jose Fernandez, who had a 1.71 ERA in his last 11 starts, will be pitching for the Marlins. The batting order for Monday starts with J.T. Realmuto. Carter Capps, Bryan Morris and Justin Bour are all out with injuries.
It's #JoséDay in Philly! https://t.co/YMF8P0SzZ1 pic.twitter.com/bgqm1zPJN2
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 18, 2016
The Tampa Bay Rays are at #27 for two weeks in a row now with a record of 35-56. Yesterday they lost their three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles, and the one game they won during it is only the fourth game in which they’ve triumphed in the past 28. They’re hoping to improve their record Monday when they face the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field to kick off a three day series. Monday’s starting pitcher will be Drew Smyly while the batting order will kick off with Logan Forsythe. Chase Whitley, Alex Cobb, Brad Boxberger, Mikie Mahtook, Steve Pearce and Desmond Jennings are out with injuries.
Last but not least, the Atlanta Braves go into week 15 dead last in the Power Rankings with a record of 32-60. They only took one game in this weekend’s three-day series with the Colorado Rockies. Monday they open a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park. Matt Wisler will be pitching, while the batting order starts with Gordon Beckham. The long list of injured players includes Arodys Viscalino, Tyler Flowers and John Gant.