As expected, the Marlins after Thursday’s game confirmed Anibal Sanchez will get the start in the series opener in Atlanta. They optioned Cristhian Martinez, who had a phenomenal outing Thursday, back to Double-A Jacksonville.

Martinez entered for Josh Johnson in the fifth with the bases loaded and one out. He induced a Carlos Lee double play ball and pitched two more perfect innings. Johnson exited after allowing four runs on seven hits through 4 1/3 innings.

One thing’s for certain: If the Marlins are going to stay in this thing the rotation has to get better in a hurry. We’ve seen some nice starts this month, but overall the starters have been underwhelming. So far in August: 7-5 with a 5.66 ERA and 98 hits in 95 2/3 innings. Perhaps most troubling is that the starters are averaging just under 5 1/3 innings per outing.

With the Phillies up 6 1/2 games with 41 to play, it’s looking more and more like the Marlins’ best shot at the postseason is the wild card. The Rockies have a four-game cushion on the Marlins and Braves, and lead the Giants by two.

Here’s to hoping they can catch some lightning in  a bottle with Anibal. I’ve never been a huge fan of his, but I’d like to see him come back and pitch well, obviously.

Also, this is a weird story coming out of New York:

Mets Deny Sheffield’s Request For Extension
By Brian Shephard [August 21 at 9:10am CST]FRIDAY, 9:10am: Sherman reports that Sheffield demanded to be released or traded to the Marlins.

THURSDAY, 8:48pm: SI’s Jon Heyman reports, via Twitter, that the Giants were the team that claimed Sheffield on waivers earlier this month.

6:23pm: David Lennon at Newsdayreminds us that earlier this month, the Mets placed Sheff on waivers,but pulled him back when he was claimed. This means he cannot betraded; the Mets could release him or place him on irrevocable waiversand lose him if he is claimed.

5:57pm: Via Twitter, Sherman cites a Mets official who says that “Sheffield has not been released.”

5:47pm: Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting that Gary Sheffieldand the Mets are at odds about his contract situation. Sherman cites”two sources” who say that Sheffield asked the team for a contractextension and was denied. The sources say he is now threatening toleave the team.

The two parties are now in discussions,according to Sherman, and the release of the aging outfielder is “apossibility.” Sheffield was pulled from the roster for tonight’s game,but Jerry Manuel said he pulled himself “to clear his head.”

So he wants to be a Marlin again. This is really odd, as he can’t be traded to us, but if he is released, he might be able to scare off other potential sutors if he really is intent on coming back. His bat would be really nice to start 4 times a week, but I’m not sure there’s any room for him, unless you really want to kill your outfield defense and take Hermida out of the lineup. He’s only played 18 games there this season, but he is sporting a nifty .286/.378/.468 line that would look awfully nice in this lineup.

Would you welcome back one of the all-time great fish?