Miami Marlins: mlb FUTURES & BETTING ODDS

MIAMI MARLINS 2021 OUTLOOK

After appearing directionless in 2018 and '19 under the new ownership group led by Derek Jeter, the Marlins made a surprising run to the postseason in 2020, aided by the expanded playoff format due to the shortened season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But even so, the Marlins proved they were no fluke by beating the Cubs in the first round series before falling to Atlanta in the NLDS. Interestingly, that was the first time in franchise history that the Marlins lost a playoff series—they had been 7-0 prior to the Braves loss, with World Series titles in 1997 and 2003. 

The Marlins have some decent lineup pieces and solid, young pitching, but it will be more difficult to sustain success over the course of a 162-game season.

Manager Don Mattingly returns for his sixth season with the Fish, and Miami made history over the offseason by hiring both the first Asian-American and female general manager in Kim Ng. 

2021 Featured Players

The Marlins hope their young rotation leads to sustained success in a tough National League East. Sandy Alcantara has drawn comparisons to Kevin Brown but needs to boost his strikeout numbers. Sixto Sanchez enters his first full season with an endorsement from Pedro Martinez himself. He has two out pitches, including a 100-mph four-seam fastball, and he's also working on adding two more off-speed pitches to his repertoire. Pablo Lopez and Elieser Hernandez are both a one strikeout-per-inning pitcher that can cause trouble for opposing players further down the rotation. Yimi Garcia only had one save last year but posted an ERA of 0.60, and he should start the season as the team's closer.

Offensively, the Marlins are a bit more challenged. Brian Anderson should lead the team and flirt with 30 home runs, but he has to cut down on his strikeouts. First baseman Jesus Aguilar is poised for a nice season, as are veterans Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson, but second baseman Jon Berti has great speed.

Bet on the Miami Marlins! Miami Marlins Odds for 2021

For a team that made the playoffs a year ago and won a round, the oddsmakers don't see it happening again, as a bet on the Miami Marlins to win the World Series pays out at 80/1. The Miami Marlins odds to win the National League pennant stand at 40/1, and a bet to win the National League East are the longest among all division teams, paying out at 25/1.

Miami Marlins Logo, Uniform & Stadium History

As we mentioned before, the Marlins made it count when they made the playoffs in the past. After coming into MLB in 1993, the then-Florida Marlins made the playoffs as a wild card and won the World Series in seven games over Cleveland with stars like Bobby Bonilla, Gary Sheffield, Edgar Renteria, Kevin Brown, and Al Leiter under manager Jim Leyland. The team then traded or let most of their stars go but rebounded in 2003 with Ivan Rodriguez, Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson, Dontrelle Willis, Josh Beckett, and a young Miguel Cabrera when they won it all again under veteran manager Jack McKeon.

The Marlins played at what is now Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins from 1993-2011. In 2012, they moved to downtown Miami to play at Marlins Park on the site of the old Orange Bowl stadium. That's when they changed their name from the Florida Marlins to the Miami Marlins and adopted the new color scheme and changed logos.

The current uniform features a black cap with a black M on the front, outlined in silver and teal. The home white jersey has "Miami" in script across the front in black with a teal and orange outline. The road uniform is the same but gray. There is a black alternate top with "Marlins" written across the front and a teal top with the "M" logo on the left side of the jersey's front.

2020 Record: 31-29, Second Place in National League East (Lost to Atlanta in NLDS)