Overview of Pitch Clock (feat. Kelly Saco)
This episode of Pitch Clock blends the show’s usual baseball trivia game with a focused conversation about the surging Miami Marlins. Dan Le Batard and the crew welcome Kelly Saco to break down why the Marlins have become one of the hottest teams in baseball, make the case for Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards as All-Star candidates, and highlight the pitching and depth pieces fueling the team’s turnaround.
Marlins Conversation: Why Miami Has Taken Off
Pitching has driven the surge
- Kelly Saco says the Marlins’ recent success starts on the mound.
- Even with multiple arms on the injured list, Miami has still been among the best pitching teams in MLB, posting an elite team ERA.
- The staff has embraced a “win four games a week” approach, which has helped them focus on winning series rather than chasing perfection.
Yuri Pérez’s return is a major boost
- Pérez is nearing a comeback after a rehab start.
- He reportedly hit 97 mph in his latest work, suggesting he could rejoin the rotation soon and stabilize the staff further.
Teamwide buy-in has mattered
- The Marlins’ turnaround is framed as a true group effort.
- Kelly emphasizes that the team has stayed competitive by collectively setting goals and maximizing series wins.
Otto Lopez and the All-Star Case
Why Otto Lopez has broken out
- Kelly credits Peter Bendix for recognizing Lopez’s talent and giving him a real opportunity.
- Lopez’s move into regular playing time at shortstop, along with being in his natural position, helped him settle in and flourish.
- Offensively, he has improved by:
- using his legs more,
- hitting to all fields,
- and consistently taking what pitchers give him.
The show’s campaign for Lopez
- Dan repeatedly argues that Lopez deserves All-Star recognition.
- The episode pushes listeners to vote for him, stressing that he has been a key reason for the Marlins’ success.
Other Marlins Standouts Mentioned
Xavier Edwards
- Kelly strongly backs Edwards as another All-Star-worthy Marlin.
- She highlights his:
- baseball IQ,
- defensive instincts,
- ability to create outs and manipulate matchups,
- and overall impact that goes beyond the box score.
- Dan notes that Miami’s middle infield of Lopez and Edwards belongs in the conversation with the best in Marlins history.
Liam Hicks
- Mentioned as one of the team’s overlooked contributors.
- He has been one of the club’s better run producers.
Max Meyer
- Highlighted as an undefeated pitcher at the time of recording.
- Dan suggests he should be in the All-Star mix too, though Kelly points out that he may get more national recognition naturally as voting unfolds.
Unsung contributors
- Heriberto Hernández: credited for making a small swing adjustment and turning his season around after being sent down to Triple-A.
- Joe Mack: praised for his growth as the Marlins’ primary catcher, both defensively and in his relationship-building with pitchers.
Trivia Game: College World Series / National Champions
The episode also includes a recurring baseball trivia segment, where the hosts try to identify College World Series champions by being given MLB players who attended those schools.
Notable answers and jokes
- Vanderbilt was an easy target for several clues:
- Kumar Rocker
- Dansby Swanson
- Other answers covered:
- South Carolina for Jackie Bradley Jr.
- Florida for Brady Singer
- Ole Miss for Jacob Gonzalez
- UCLA for Garrett Crochet
- Tennessee for Dylan Cruz
- LSU for Alex Bregman / Paul Skenes-era references
- Oregon State, Fresno State, Arizona, Virginia, and Coastal Carolina also came up during the back-and-forth
- The segment devolves into playful confusion, record-keeping jokes, and teasing about who actually won the mini-game.
Main Takeaways
- The Marlins’ recent run is being driven by strong pitching, improved health, and teamwide execution.
- Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards are framed as legitimate All-Star candidates and foundational pieces for Miami’s present and future.
- Heriberto Hernández, Joe Mack, and Max Meyer are key supporting names in Miami’s success.
- The episode’s trivia segment keeps the show’s usual light, competitive tone while touching on College World Series history and MLB alumni connections.
Call to Action from the Episode
- Vote for Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards for the All-Star Game.
- The hosts repeatedly encourage fans to vote multiple times per day and help push Miami’s deserving players into the Midsummer Classic.