Phillies vs Marlins preview: A Pair of National League Playoff Contenders to Meet in Miami

Two of the Best Teams in the National League Since Start of June Ready to Collide

The race for playoff spots in the National League is going to heat up five teams within striking range for three spots that go to non-division winners. Early July isn’t too early for playoff talk when it comes to the Phillies vs Marlins preview.

The Phillies just completed a three-game sweep of the American League-leading Tampa Bay Rays while the Marlins won three of four games against the St. Louis Cardinals.

When looking at the MLB wildcard standings, Miami holds down the top spot in the National League with Philadelphia currently in position for the final playoff berth in the NL. The San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers are within a game of the Phillies.

Philadelphia is one of six National League teams with a winning record on the road while Miami has the second most home wins in the NL.

Miami won two of the three games when the teams met in April with three of the last four meetings between the Phillies and Marlins finishing over the total. Five of the last seven games between the teams have been won by the visiting team. Five of the last nine matchups ended up as one-run affairs.

Philadelphia (+2800) is tied for ninth in the odds to win the World Series and Miami (+3300) comes in tied for 13th in the championship odds.

Probable Starting Pitchers

• Friday: Zack Wheeler (Phillies); Sandy Alcantara (Marlins)
• Saturday: Ranger Suarez (Phillies); Braxton Garrett (Marlins)
• Sunday: Aaron Nola (Phillies); Jesus Luzardo (Marlins)

Bullpen Coming On Strong

The Philadelphia Phillies went into St. Petersburg and swept a three-game series against a Tampa Bay team that has the best record in the American League. The momentum from that sweep has resulted in Philadelphia being favored when it comes to the Phillies vs Marlins preview.

The Phillies can thank their bullpen for much of the success in those three games. Philadelphia relievers save up three hits and no runs with 12 strikeouts in 8.2 innings in the three games.

In the series finale, four relievers combined to throw five innings with no hits allowed as the only runners came courtesy of three walks drawn by the Rays.

The total has gone under in 12 of Philadelphia’s last 17 games.

Finding A Way

It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Marlins have played their way into playoff contention.

Since the start of June, the Marlins are 6-0 in games decided by one run and 9-2 in contests determined by either one or two runs.

Miami was hitting .285 with 42 extra-base hits in a 14-game stretch before being shut out by St. Louis in Thursday’s series finale. That has taken some of the pressure off the Miami pitching staff with 25 runs in back-to-back wins over St. Louis. Still, the Phillies vs Marlins preview lists Miami as the underdogs as the series gets underway.

Four of Miami’s last five games finished over the total.

Who’s Hot

• Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies IF: Bohm is hitting .429 with two doubles, two home runs, five runs and 10 RBIs over the last nine games.
• Jesus Luzardo, Miami Marlins P: Luzardo has given up 10 hits and no runs with 26 strikeouts and four walks in 19.1 innings over his last three starts.
• Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins OF: Sanchez is 7-for-16 with two extra-base hits and five RBIs over his last six games.
• Matt Strahm, Philadelphia Phillies P: Strahm has allowed two hits and no runs with 11 strikeouts over 5.2 innings in his last five appearances.

Who’s Not

• Kody Clemens, Philadelphia Phillies IF: Clemens is 3-for-25 with seven strikeouts in his last nine games.
• Nick Fortes, Miami Marlins C: Fortes is 2-for-34 with 10 strikeouts over the last 12 contests.
• A.J. Puk, Miami Marlins P: Puk has allowed six hits and five runs in 5.1 innings over his last six outings.
• Zach Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies P: Wheeler has surrendered 16 hits, two home runs and nine runs in 10.1 innings over his last two starts.

Phillies vs Marlins Injury Update

Pitcher Seranthony Dominguez is on the injured list for the Phillies.

For Miami, outfielder Jazz Chisholm and pitcher Andrew Nardi are out while pitcher Sixto Sanchez is questionable.

Phillies vs Marlins Betting Preview

There could be captivating pitching matchups in all three games in the series.

Veteran pitchers will go in the opener when Wheeler opposes reigning Cy Young Award winner Alcantara. Suarez had an ERA of 1.08 in June with Garrett posting a 2.22 ERA in the month while Nola and Luzardo are both pitching as well as any starters in the National League.

Philadelphia and Miami are 31-51 against the spread at home this season compared to a 47-44 mark against the spread on the road.

The Phillies are 32-20 when listed as the favorite with Miami 22-23 as an underdog.

When looking at the MLB predictions, visiting Philadelphia is priced at -126 to win the series opener.

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