Marlins Set for Wild Card Round with Phillies

The MLB playoffs began Tuesday, and the Miami Marlins have reached the playoffs for the fourth time in franchise history.

The Marlins will go on the road to play the Philadelphia Phillies at 8 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies return to the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Last season, as a wild card team, they advanced to the World Series but fell in six games to the Houston Astros.  Philadelphia is looking for revenge, and are hungry to return to the Fall Classic and win their third World Series in franchise history.  Offensively, the Phillies have a batting average of .256, which is eighth overall in the league.

Phillies Players to Watch

Designated hitter Bryce Harper leads the team with a batting average of .293, and he’s smashed 21 home runs on the year.  Right fielder Nick Castellanos led the team in home runs with 47, and he added 106 RBI.  Another star-caliber player in the Phillies lineup is outfielder Kyle Schwarber, who had 29 home runs and 104 RBI.

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Marlins Back in the Postseason

The Marlins return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Though, there was only a 60-game regular season that year, so this is the first time Miami has made the playoffs in a full season since 2003. Their young team and deadline deals have helped this Marlins team make the jump they’ve been looking for. Miami is looking to win its third World Series title in franchise history, with their last title coming back in 2003.

Second baseman Luis Arraez won the batting title for the second straight year with a .354 batting average. Additionally, Arraez is the first player to in MLB history to win back-to-back batting titles in different leagues after winning it in the American League with the Minnesota Twins last season. On the mound, Jesus Luzardo will be a key piece for the Marlins, recording a 3.63 ERA and 208 strikeouts. He’ll get the ball to start Game 1 for the Marlins.

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First pitch is at 8 p.m. in Philadelphia.