This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola’s Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ARLINGTON -- The 2024 season hasn’t gone as the Marlins had hoped. With the second half beginning on Friday, let’s guess what might happen through September.

One second-half goal: Avoid a 100-loss season
After a surprise postseason berth in 2023, the last thing the Marlins wanted to do was lose 100 games in a season for the fourth time in franchise history. To avoid that dubious milestone, Miami (33-63) must win 30 of its final 66 games (a .454 winning percentage). Several factors will determine whether the club can keep that pace, and it begins with the health of its starting pitching.

Likely Trade Deadline strategy: Sellers
Pitching help, of the relief kind, in particular, is always in demand. That means All-Star closer Tanner Scott, who can become a free agent after the season, is the Marlins' biggest trade piece. Other late-inning arms like A.J. Puk also could be dangled. Jazz Chisholm Jr. recently moved back to second base, making him an intriguing name that has come up in trade rumors.

Key player: LHP Jesús Luzardo
Luzardo being dealt seemed like a foregone conclusion until he landed on the 60-day injured list with a lumbar stress reaction on June 22, making him unavailable to pitch until at least after the July 30 Trade Deadline. Even before this extended absence, Luzardo missed time with left elbow tightness. After a breakout 2023 season, the 26-year-old has a 5.00 ERA in 12 starts, with a lower K/9 rate (7.8 vs. 10.3) and a higher BB/9 rate (3 vs. 2.8).

Prospect to watch: RHP Max Meyer
The Marlins intended to ease back Meyer, who hadn't pitched since July 23, 2022, due to Tommy John surgery. But MLB Pipeline's No. 81 overall prospect and Miami’s No. 3 made the Opening Day rotation out of necessity due to several starting-pitching injuries. Once those pitchers healed, Miami optioned the 25-year-old to Triple-A Jacksonville despite his 2.12 ERA in three starts. After having his workload monitored, Meyer went six innings on July 9 for the first time since April 13 with the Marlins.