Die hard fans may not be able to see the reality of the situation, but even Florida Marlins’ players are starting to see the writing on the wall. It is becoming increasingly likely that the Florida Marlins are not going to make the playoffs. Though the Fish are showing signs of life the past few days, the New York Mets show no sign of stopping their hot streak and as the days tick away, the Marlins can play as amazingly as they like but if the Mets don’t cool off it won’t matter.

Marlins’ 2nd baseman Dan Uggla knows the role the Marlins now play though and, despite the smile on his face, was dead serious Wednesday night when he said “Our chances might be pretty slim to none, but anybody we can take down with us, we’re going to do it. If we’re not going, we don’t want anybody else to go”. The Marlins role may now have been reduced to “spoiler”.

Wednesday night the Marlins put their spoiling skills on display. Last season it was the Marlins who on the last day of the season defeated the Mets, allowing the Phillies to win the NL East and go onto the playoffs and send the Mets home for October. This week, the Marlins decided to return the favor to the Phillies. On Monday, the Phillies were within 1 1/2 games of the New York Mets, but losses to the Marlins on Tuesday and Wednesday left the Phillies 3 1/2 games out and the Mets with some room to breath. Ricky Nolasco was on fire again striking out 8 while allowing 3 runs in 7 2/3 innings of work. Nolasco improved his record to 14-7, and the Marlins improved to 74-72. Now the Marlins return to Miami for a 9 game homestand, with 3 game apiece against Washington, Houston, and Philadelphia, maybe the Fish aren’t done yet.