The 2015 MLB season has been a struggle for the Miami Marlins, but in August, it could slowly start to turn around. The playoffs may be out of reach, but the return of masher Giancarlo Stanton (hand) will lift Miami’s spirits and competitiveness, potentially giving the club a happy ending to what has been a disappointing campaign.
Stanton doesn’t have a clear return date yet, but he’s already practicing and could be closing in on his comeback game. Once Miami fans learn when that is, the excitement can ensue, as the Marlins could suddenly experience a surge of offense. Plus, everyone wants to see how the club can perform with both Stanton and phenom ace Jose Fernandez back healthy in the dugout. With Marlins tickets slated to average out at just over $69 the rest of the way, Marlins fans are in for some major value going forward – with or without the mammoth Stanton.
To gauge just how much value Miami fans are in for, let’s break down their cheapest and most expensive games in the month of August:
Cheapest – 8/18/2015 @ Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park | Avg: $34 | Get-in: $3
The Brewers were already one of the worst teams in the National League, and then they traded away two of their best hitters and a key starting pitcher. Needless to say, Miami enters Miller Park with a nice, winnable matchup, while the park itself tends to offer upside when it comes to run production – specifically homers. Should Giancarlo Stanton be back in time for this showdown with the Brew Crew, Marlins fans could enjoy a bomb show at Miller Park. Either way, the Marlins should have the leg up in this matchup, which is a nice rarity, and happens to be their first meeting of the year. Both teams will be playing for pride at this point, looking to cement a higher finish in the NL standings.
Most Expensive – 8/12/2015 VS. Boston Red Sox at Marlins Park | Avg: $125.11 | Get-in: $34
The Boston Red Sox may not be a playoff contender at the moment, but this series still carries some weight when it comes to ticket prices. Big Papi and Co. still boast one of the more potent MLB offenses when at full strength and they could be a threat when they enter Marlins Park on August 12. The good news is Miami’s stadium isn’t normally overly conducive to long shots, so there’s a chance the Marlins can keep this game (and series) close with their fine pitching, something the Red Sox don’t really possess. Regardless, it should be a fun Interleague series, as these two clubs rarely meet during the regular season.
Understandably, Marlins fans might look to this series as perhaps the most special one to attend, given the fact that Boston is one of the more storied franchises around baseball. Out-of-town fans can get to South Beach with cheap Miami flights from Hipmunk.com, and for those wanting to make a vacation of it in effort to salvage their team’s disappointing season, Hipmunk also has affordable Miami hotel listings as well, with rooms starting at just $52.
