It seems like this statement is made at the start of each week, but it is no less true than it was last week, the Marlins face another crucial slate of games the next 12 days to keep themselves in the playoff race. It would not be an understatement to say the Marlins playoff fate will be decided in the next week and a half.

After a brutal road trip to Philadelphia to face the NL East leading Phillies, the Marlins then had three games against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. The Fish return home today, now in 3rd place in the division, and face the St. Louis Cardinals for four games, followed by three games against the NL Central leading Chicago Cubs, and begin next week on the road against the pesky San Fransisco Giants. Each and every game will be critical in keeping the Marlins on pace with the Mets and Phillies for the NL East title, and also to bolster their position in the NL Wild Card race, where they sit 5 games off the pace.

The Mets and Phillies meanwhile face less than stellar opposition in the next 12 days. The Mets have five games against the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, three against the even worse Washington Nationals, and three against the sinking Atlanta Braves. The Phillies start a long road trip with four games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, three against the San Diego Padres, and three against the Washington Nationals.

The Marlins by far have the hardest schedule of the three teams and will a tougher time staying in the playoff chase than the teams they are chasing. Now more than ever it is imperative that the team is ready to play every time they step on the field, the pitchers have to be on their game, fielding has to be sharp, and the bats, well the bats need to stay hungry!