The Miami Marlins’ lost season, this fifth year of a rebuild with no end in sight and seventh under manager Don Mattingly whose end is in sight, is just about over.
Miami has two games left against the Atlanta Braves before heading into what should be a busy offseason.
Before that, though, the Marlins managed to make a big impact on a playoff race they had hoped to be involved in themselves.
Over the span of the past seven games, Miami has impacted the playoff fates of five teams — three directly, two indirectly — while going 5-2 against the New York Mets (1-1), Milwaukee Brewers (3-1) and Braves (1-0 entering Tuesday).