Florida Marlins: Starters as big a problem as relievers

The bullpen has been beaten up pretty good in the early going, and not just by opposing hitters. Any number of Marlins fans no doubt would love to love to personally deliver a pink slip to Jose Veras or Renyel Pinto. Give Pinto credit for two scoreless innings Tuesday. The criticism is warranted. The relief staff has allowed 29 hits and walked 18 in 30 innings with a 4.80 ERA so far. Veras’ job likely is in jeopardy. He gave up two more runs in the eighth Tuesday, raising his ERA to 15.43, in a second straight extra-inning loss to the Reds. Dan Meyer started the 11th and needed 33 pitches to get through it. He took the loss, allowing three hits and walk two during a two-run inning. His ERA is now 7.71. You know what’s the best cure for a struggling bullpen? Not using it as much. The Marlins’ starting staff can make the problem go away. Through eight games, the starters have a higher ERA (5.00) than their teammates in the pen. Nate Robertson last week against the Me...