Marlins will put up a fight vs. contending clubs

MIAMI -- If you notice a difference in the lineup from top to bottom against teams like the Phillies or the Nationals in the month of September, there's a reason for that.
While the Marlins make their final callup next week to look at various prospects, manager Don Mattingly said that he would forego some of that in favor of using his regulars against teams still in the playoff hunt.
"I just think you throw the lineup out there that you think is best," said Mattingly, in reference to remaining games with those two playoff contenders. "There's going to be times when we play [young] guys because we want to continue to see them play. But in those games [against contenders], I've always felt that you owe it to the rest of the league and whoever else is in a playoff hunt to play your best club during those games.
"This is why we pushed [José Ureña] back a day. It gives him an extra day's rest, but it also gets him [on the mound] against the Phillies. It's putting a guy that's arguably our best guy, pitching in that series instead of pitching him [against Toronto on Sunday]."
That goes for position players as well, although playing the younger guys has its importance, especially for a rebuilding franchise. A September callup himself, Mattingly knows first-hand the significance of getting that experience.
"I didn't play very much," Mattingly said of his initial experience in the Major Leagues. "But I learned a lot [as a callup]. Being a part of it, the travel, being around the guys. For some of these guys, it'll be their first time in the big leagues. To get to experience what the routine is creates a comfort level. Just to be able to watch games.
"Obviously playing is best, but if you play a little it still helps you going into Spring Training."
Not only that, but just getting the young players used to their surroundings is a big help in getting them comfortable to their surroundings.
"Getting them to museums or out to a basketball game, get them involved in the community, so that their first time in the building isn't their first day in the big leagues," Mattingly said. "So they know where the locker room is, where things are at, how to get around the city a little bit.
"To me, from a small town, I pulled into New York City scared to death of everything but the field. So I think it's really important for the guys you think are part of your mix to give them a little taste."
It can also serve as an inspiration for a young player.
"You see guys that you played against in the Minor Leagues possibly playing and you're like, 'That guy's having success, I'm doing the same things he was doing in the Minor Leagues, why can't I have success?' I think it just opens your eyes to the whole process," Mattingly said.