Marlins’ starting lineup coming together, Puk continues to impress and Scott on way back
JUPITER
Jazz Chisholm Jr. has a message to send when it comes to the Miami Marlins’ lineup.
“I feel like nobody really understands the depth of this lineup,” the center fielder said. “I can’t wait ‘till we go out there and show them.”
The Marlins are a team that for the past few years have been built on quality starting pitching and hoping for enough offense to back the team’s efforts on the mound.
But with Miami’s the starting pitching in a state of flux to begin the season, Miami will be counting on its lineup will play a vital role early.
That’s a tall task for a team that finished with the fifth-fewest runs scored (666) and tied for the eighth-fewest home runs (166).
For the offense to be a success, the Marlins are relying on a collective effort rather than a singular player to carry the team.
And, on paper, they have the players to be productive.
They have a pair of batting champions in second baseman Luis Arraez and shortstop Tim Anderson, the former trying to build on his past two years of success and the latter trying to rebound from his worst season as a big-leaguer. Arraez will be in the leadoff spot. Anderson will likely bat second or fifth.
They have a full year of switch-hitting first baseman Josh Bell and righthanded-hitting third baseman Jake Burger after acquiring both at the trade deadline last season. Both are capable of hitting for average and power — exactly what a team wants when Arraez and/or Anderson are getting on base in front of them.
Chisholm, a lefty who has the potential for 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases if he can stay healthy, rounds out the top five in the lineup.
“If Luis and TA do what they do,” Burger said, “we’re gonna have a lot of action on the basepaths and it’s going to bode well. It’s gonna make for some fun.”
Added Bell: “A lot of runs to be scored. It’s
the tournament, and 15th overall.
“I’ve been coming to the Miami Open since I was 12 or 13 years old, so it’s been incredible to have been a fan running around the grounds and seeing all these players, and then to be able to play and win here,” she said.
“I experienced Crandon Park, Key Biscayne, and now here [Hard Rock Stadium]. It’s really incredible to be able to play in front of South Florida fans and to play at home, stay at home. Playing in front of friends and family has always been really special for me.”
Stephens is ranked No. 41 in the world and has an 8-7 record so far this season. She was ranked as high as No. 3, has won $18.2 million and won the 2017 U.S. Open.
She reflected on her career on her birthday.
“It’s been a difficult journey, a lot of ups and downs, a lot of heartbreak, a lot of strong, incredible performances on incredible stages and great trophies and just very low lows,” she said. “When I started playing tennis I would have never dreamed of winning a Grand Slam or being No. 3 in the world. I was playing because I loved it.”
She said someone recently asked if she regretted never reaching No. 1.
“Absolutely not,” she said. “I maxed out what I had. I won a Grand Slam. I had a great career-high ranking, played the Olympics, done all these amazing things. When you start a sport you can have a dream ... when you do that and so many other things on top of it, it’s like icing in the cake. I’ve done so much, but there is still a lot left. I’m 31, who knows how much longer I’ll play, but there is still a lot left.”
Also advancing Wednesday: Danielle Collins beat fellow American Bernarda Pera 3-6, 6-1, 6-1, and American Shelby Rogers rallied to beat wild card Linda Fruhvirtova of Czech Republic 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
On the men’s side, 36year-old former No. 1 Andy Murray of Great Britain won his opening match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Matteo Berrettini of Italy. Murray, who spent many offseasons training in Miami, is ranked No. 62 and was granted a wild card in to the tournament, which he has won twice.
Also, Tomas Machac of Czech Republic beat American wild card Darwin Blanch, 16, a Deerfield Beach native making his ATP debut. Machac, ranked No. 60 in the world, won 6-4, 6-2. Also, Canadian Denis Shapovalov defeated Italian Luciano Darderi 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4.
Thursday’s afternoon schedule includes No. 17 American Madison Keys against Russian Diana Shnaider, a former North Carolina State player who beat Venus Williams in the opening round. Fourth- ranked Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays qualifier Clara Tauson of Denmark in the night session. Wild card Kei Nishikori, the Japanese star who reached as high as No. 4 in the world in 2015, is coming off injury and plays Sebastian Ofner of Austria.
SABALENKA ASKS FOR PRIVACY
The tournament’s No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka released this statement about the tragic death Sunday of ex-boyfriend and former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov: “Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken. Please respect my privacy and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Miami-Dade police say Koltsov, 42, jumped from a balcony at the St. Regis Bal Harbour. Sabalenka is scheduled to play her opening match on Friday.