Jensen Lewis predicts the Marlins will stand out this year on the back of a few more runs

Former Cleveland Indians pitcher Jensen Lewis said that the Miami Marlins are going in the right direction and with a little fine tuning could be competitive in the powerful National League East.

A few more homers, according to Lewis, would do the Marlins a world of good. Despite a strong pitching staff last season, Miami went 69-93, 32 games behind the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, who each tallied 101 wins. The Philadelphia Phillies, who surged to the World Series, finished third, with Miami fourth.

Still, Lewis sees a path for Miami, even though the Mets had a splashy offseason.

“I think the competitive vibe there for the Marlins is, they were taken for granted a little bit last year; they are going to play with a little chip on their shoulder," Lewis told MLB Network Radio. "I think if they find a way to scratch out a few more runs this year, and make it stand up.”

"They're going to play with a chip on their shoulder!" @JLEWFifty is taking the OVER for the @Marlins this year," MLB Network tweeted.

Jensen said that the Miami Marlins' bullpen is going to have to be clutch in closing games. He said starters Jesus Luzardo (4-7, 3.32 ERA), Edward Cabrera (6-4, 3.01 ERA), Trevor Rogers (4-11, 5.47 ERA) and Johnny Cueto (6-10, 3.35 ERA with the Chicago White Sox have to be big for the team to see success.

"I think from a pitching standpoint, if their rotation remains healthy and effective," Jensen said. "And by effectiveness, I mean Luzardo and Cabrera can’t be walking guys left and right. Heck, Trevor Rogers is going to have to cut down on his walks as well, and Johnny Cueto can give you anywhere close to the performance he did."

Jensen backed the Miami Marlins to go big this season, while also crediting them for going in the right direction.

“Do they have an opportunity to do it? I think they do, and I think they take a step forward this year,” Jensen said.

Jensen Lewis's MLB career

Jensen Lewis is a former MLB pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. They picked him 102nd overall in the 2005 draft. He made his Major League Baseball debut against the Chicago White Sox on July 13, 2007.

After a staggered run from there on, Jensen ended his professional career in April 2013.

He is currently a baseball analyst with Bally Sports, and Lewis became a pregame/postgame analyst for the Cleveland Guardians games on SportsTime Ohio in 2015.