Game: Miami Marlins @ Philadelphia Phillies
Time: 8:08 p.m.
Odds: Marlins +139, Phillies -152
Total: 7.5
The Miami Marlins may be in big trouble if the Philadelphia Phillies’ success last season is any indication of what they can accomplish with a wild-card spot. In Game 1 of a best-of-three National League wild-card series against Miami tonight, Philadelphia will try to repeat its playoff run from 2022. After claiming the third and final wild-card spot last year, the Phillies’ 90-72 regular-season record allowed them to clinch the top wild-card spot in the NL this season.
Philadelphia thrived despite perhaps not receiving the best draw last year, making it all the way to the World Series and within two victories of its first championship since 2008. But the past is the past, and the Phillies are aware that they must demonstrate their worth once more.
When he takes the mound for Game 1, right-hander Zack Wheeler (13-6, 3.61 ERA) will try to help the Phillies get off to a quick start. Last Thursday, Wheeler made his final start of the regular season against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He took a no-decision after giving up one run on four hits in four innings. Wheeler has a career record of 10-4 with a 2.48 ERA against the Marlins in 22 starts. He has never played against Miami in the postseason. In six postseason starts, he has a record of 1-3 with a 2.78 ERA.
For the Marlins, who finished 84-77 and earned the second wild card in the NL, left-hander Jesus Luzardo (10-9, 3.63) will start. Last Thursday against the New York Mets, Luzardo’s final start of the regular season, he allowed one run on four hits over 7.1 innings. However, because the game was called in the ninth inning and never resumed, he was not given a decision.
In five starts against the Phillies in his career, Luzardo is 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA. He has never faced Philadelphia in the playoffs. He has struggled in the postseason with an 0-1 record and a 5.91 ERA in three appearances. Two of those were starts.
Miami is in unfamiliar territory as it advances to the postseason in a full 162-game regular season for the first time since the Florida Marlins won the World Series in 2003. The Marlins did make the playoffs in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
After being hampered by an ankle injury, second baseman Luis Arraez, the NL batting champion, should be ready to go for Game 1. Arraez had a regular-season batting average of .354. He will attempt to help Miami continue its streak against the Phillies in Philadelphia. Miami has won four of the last five at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia enters the postseason having won eight of its last 11 games of the regular season. The Phillies are also 6-1 SU in their last seven home games.
Five of the last seven Marlins-Phillies games have gone Under the total. That’s the trend for the Marlins on the road. Six of their last eight road games have ended up Under the total.
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