And I Was Like, “EMILIOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

Whether it’s a discussion about sports, a co-worker’s promotion or the girl a friend has a crush on, I’ve long been accused of being the person to poop in the proverbial punch bowl. It’s kind of what I do. I tend to look at things realistically and not let my emotions cloud my judgement. So, when I started to hear people say that the most important part of Emilio Bonifacio‘s hitting streak is that the team is now winning, well, let’s just say I upped my fiber intake.

There is no argument to be made that Boni reaching safely in the last 26 games hasn’t helped the team win; that’d just be stupid. But, there are some other important factors to consider when you look at the Marlins 18-8 record during this hit streak. Let’s have at it, shall we?

It helps when your opponent is more inept than you. Of the Marlins 18 wins, 12 of them have come against the likes of Oakland (47-58), Houston (35-70), Chicago (42-63) and Washington (49-55). That’s two-thirds of their victories coming against teams whose combined record is 173-246 (.413). Imagine if they DIDN’T get swept by the Padres…

Mike Stanton, as you know, is a boss. Bonifacio may have a 26-game hitting streak, but in that time, Mikey Boss has 8 homers and 18 RBI.

Speaking of RBI… Logan Morrison tied Kevin Millar‘s record for RBI in the month of July with 26. Add two more from the A’s series at the end of June and he’s got 28 RBI during Boni’s hit streak.

I don’t know who you are, but you’re not Javy Vazquez. In his last six starts, Vazquez is 4-2 and has given up just 11 runs. If you were to take away his horrendous game against the Padres – and I know it counts, but it was such an awful game that it unfairly skews his stats – you’re looking at a 4-1 record with just 5 runs allowed.

Trade Hanley! Or, you know, maybe we should hold off on the pitchforks and flaming torches routine right now. This is what Hanley Ramierez’s slash line looked like just before the streak and what it looks like today:

Before: .214/.304/.304
Now: .247/.338/.388

I’m pretty sure his OPS has jumped, like, a bazillion points, too (.608 to .725).

Of course, none of this is to say that Emilio Bonifacio isn’t helping the team win, because he certainly is and I love him for it. You can’t reach base safely that many times and still be considered a non-factor, obviously. But, let’s not pretend, even for a second, that there aren’t other reasons – INFINITELY MORE IMPORTANT REASONS – for the Marlins current resurgence.

Now, nobody drink the punch, ’cause I done pooped in it.