Marlins Playoff Hunt In Jeopardy As Stanton Likely Out For Season With Injury

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins took a big blow to their playoff hunt as their star player Giancarlo Stanton suffered a Grade 3 groin strain which most likely will end his season as he will miss at least six weeks.

On Saturday during the 8-7 loss to the Chicago White Sox, the Marlins power hitter was down after attempting to stretch a single into a double.

After hitting a short fly ball to shallow right center fielder, he dashed to second base after the ball skipped away from outfielder Adam Eaton. But Stanton stopped in mid-sprint as the ball reach second and made a head first lunge toward the bag then fell on his back and was unable to move.

With the Marlins only a .5 game out of the Wild Card race, the Stanton injury may change the outcome of the rest of the season, and manager Don Mattingly knows it will take a team effort to overcome this major blow.

“It means we’ve got to find another way to win, simple as that,” Mattingly told the media after the game on Saturday. “We did it early in the year. Giancarlo early in the year was not really contributing, and he wasn’t swinging well, but we were able to sustain. I think that’s really what we have to do.”

Prior to the injury Stanton was batting .244, with 25 home runs, and 70 RBIs. Now the Marlins may set their site on Alex Rodriguez who was recently released by the New York Yankees or they may have a few choices with Carlos Gomez , who was recently designated for assignment by the Houston Astros or Yasiel Puig, who the Los Angeles Dodgers recently sent to the minors. At least out of the three, Mattingly has history managing Puig.  But the hometown hero Rodriguez, may be the one to get the call.

“I like Alex. I’ve always liked Alex,” Mattingly told the media before Saturday game against the White Sox. “He’s always one of those guys that played hard, never afraid of the field. Always wanted to play. Every day, you didn’t have to go look for him to play. He wanted to play.”

A developing story that is sure to make the rest of the Marlins season one to watch.

David Conde

David is the Co-Founder and Executive Editor of Legends On Deck®, as well as a Co-Host on Legends On Deck Podcast. David was a Senior Editor for MetsMerizedOnline.com, MetsMinors.net and Contributor for Hardballchat.com that spanned from 2010 to 2014. David made his MLB Debut as a writer in June 2014, while covering the NY Mets at Citi Field, for MetsmerizedOnline.com. David also coaches baseball for ages 13-15, a Babe Ruth League team in his local community. David's passion is coaching the game he loves to the future Legends of Tomorrow as well as making available a website that people can have fun sharing and reading. David is also passionate about his career as a Mortgage Loan Officer which allows him to help many families reach their dreams of owning a home. Connect with David via his Social Media pages as he loves to chat all about baseball.

David Conde

David is the Co-Founder and Executive Editor of Legends On Deck®, as well as a Co-Host on Legends On Deck Podcast. David was a Senior Editor for MetsMerizedOnline.com, MetsMinors.net and Contributor for Hardballchat.com that spanned from 2010 to 2014. David made his MLB Debut as a writer in June 2014, while covering the NY Mets at Citi Field, for MetsmerizedOnline.com. David also coaches baseball for ages 13-15, a Babe Ruth League team in his local community. David's passion is coaching the game he loves to the future Legends of Tomorrow as well as making available a website that people can have fun sharing and reading. David is also passionate about his career as a Mortgage Loan Officer which allows him to help many families reach their dreams of owning a home. Connect with David via his Social Media pages as he loves to chat all about baseball.