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The Miami Marlins playoff hopes are alive and well. Tuesday, Miami defeated the New York Mets 2-1 in Game 2 of a three-game series. With the win, the Marlins now sit a half-game behind the Chicago Cubs for the final Wild Card spot.
Come take a walk-(off) the WILD side. pic.twitter.com/QCzB5M8iLo
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 20, 2023
Walk-off Wonders
In the top of the ninth, Miami held a 3-1 lead. However, the Mets’ Brandon Nimmo hit a double that scored two runs, tying the game up at three. To begin the bottom of the ninth, Nick Fortes was hit by Mets pitcher Trevor Gott. Then, Joey Wendle came in the game to run for Fortes and he would advance to third with two outs.
Down on an 0-2 count, Jake Burger hit the game-winning single into centerfield. Tuesday’s walk-off hit was Burger’s second since he joined the Marlins in August from the Chicago White Sox. The third baseman is hitting .249 with 33 homeruns this season.
WE LOVE OUR BURGERS FLIPPED. pic.twitter.com/HoWjfhbsPv
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 20, 2023
The Current Picture
The Marlins are currently in the midst of a crowded National League Wild Card race and have won five of their last seven games.
After a Cubs win over the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, the Cubs remain a half-game ahead of the Marlins for the last playoff spot. Chicago is 1-5 in their last six games, but Miami’s loss on Monday keeps the Cubs in front for now.
The other two Wild Card spots belong to the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Phillies sit 3.5 games ahead of the Marlins for the first Wild Card position, while the Diamondbacks are only a half-game up on Miami, as well.
Looking Ahead
The Marlins now sit at 79-73 on the season and they’ll look to win the rubber match against New York Wednesday at 6:40 pm. Miami will close out the last two weeks of the regular season with a series against the Milwaukee Brewers beginning Friday. Then, they’ll face the Mets again and end the year with a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With only 10 games left in the regular season, the Marlins look to finish strong and cement themselves in the 2023 Postseason.
