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The Miami Marlins are currently on the outside looking in. Miami sits just one game out of the final National League Wild Card spot as it heads into arguably the most important series of the season. The Marlins will head to Queens to take on the division rival New York Mets. The Mets are already eliminated from playoff contention, but have the opportunity to play spoiler at home.
The party will continue and we are expecting everyone to stay Wild at our Watch Parties.
See you all there: https://t.co/C0WurrObF0 pic.twitter.com/P2uAZZPGBM
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 26, 2023
Current Positioning
The Marlins have been able to keep themselves within striking distance thanks in large part to their recent back-to-back wins. After a rough 16-1 loss, Miami was able to bounce back. The Marlins won the final two games in their series against the Milwaukee Brewers to stay in the hunt.
Miami starting pitcher Edward Cabrera led the way in the last victory for the team. The young right hander delivered five innings of one-run baseball and struck out five in the win. Once Cabrera was pulled from the game, the Marlins bullpen kept the Milwaukee offense quiet down the stretch.
There was nothing “off” about this off-speed pitch. 🔥
(MLBStats x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/NyqtjM1Npx
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 25, 2023
This victory was massive for the Marlins playoff push as it kept them within one game of the final spot occupied by the Chicago Cubs.
The Mets find themselves in a much different position heading into this series. New York has had what many fans consider to be a disappointing season after heading into 2023 with World Series aspirations. With the last week of the regular season underway, the Mets sit with a record of 71-85 and are eliminated from playoff contention.
New York was most recently swept by the division rival Philadelphia Phillies in a four-game series. The Mets have experienced many struggles this season but will have the opportunity to potentially spoil their division rival’s hopes of making the playoffs. They will look to finish this season strong and prepare for 2024 as this year comes to a close.
me: i’m so done with the mets!
me on march 28th 2024: pic.twitter.com/StXoFf2y6M
— julia! ☕️ (@cqndyapples) September 25, 2023
Looking Ahead
Should the Marlins make the playoffs, it would be just the second time the team has done so since 2003 and the fourth time in franchise history. Miami most recently made the playoffs during the 2020 season. The Marlins swept the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round but eventually fell to the Atlanta Braves in the Divisional Series.
The Marlin’s final series of the regular season will be against the Pittsburgh Pirates following the Mets series.
For a team expected to still be in rebuild mode, making the 2023 playoffs would be a massive accomplishment for this team. If Miami can handle its business in its final two series, the final Wild Card spot is well within reach.
