MIAMI, July 30 -- Xavier Edwards lined a single to center field in the seventh inning Wednesday afternoon, driving in two runs to tie a Phillies lineup that had arrived with postseason intentions. By the time it ended, Marlins 8, Phillies 6, the scoreboard looked like it belonged to a team heading somewhere. The front office phone calls told a different story.

Four days before the August 3 trade deadline, the Miami Marlins occupy the NL's most uncomfortable position. Sitting at 55-54, they are two games out of a wild card berth and riding a four-game winning streak. They also, per multiple reports, are willing to entertain offers on Otto Lopez, the shortstop currently hitting .329, the highest batting average in baseball.

The twelve con...