The Miami Marlins (44-75) are seeking their second consecutive victory as they prepare to take on the Philadelphia Phillies (69-49) in the opening match of their two-game series on Tuesday night. The game is set for 6:40 PM ET at Citizens Bank Park.
Valente Bellozo, with a record of 1-1 and a 3.05 ERA, will take the mound for the Marlins. The Phillies will respond with Taijuan Walker, who holds a 3-3 record and a 5.60 ERA.
In their last ten encounters, Philadelphia has a slight edge with a 6-4 record against Miami.
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Marlins Pursuing Road Triumph
The Marlins recently broke a three-game losing streak with a victory over the Padres. Having won their last two games away from home, they aim to extend this momentum against their division rivals on Tuesday night.
Currently, Miami averages 3.67 runs per game. Their batting average stands at .237, ranking 22nd in the league, while their on-base percentage of .293 is 29th, as is their slugging percentage of .364.
Jake Burger shines as Miami’s standout hitter. He leads the squad with a .251 batting average, 22 home runs, and 53 RBIs. Recently, he has been in excellent form, hitting a home run in three consecutive games, including their recent 7-6 victory over the Padres on Sunday.
On the pitching front, the Marlins have struggled, allowing an average of 4.53 runs per game. Opponents boast a .256 batting average against them, placing Miami 27th in the league. Their 4.58 ERA is also 27th, while their WHIP of 1.38 ranks 28th.
In his last outing, Bellozo delivered a strong performance, yielding just five hits and no runs over five innings, contributing to a 6-4 victory against Cincinnati. A repeat of this effort will be essential for Miami’s success.
Phillies Aim to End Home Skid
The Phillies faced a tough weekend, dropping three of their last four games in a series. They are currently experiencing a four-game losing streak at Citizens Bank Park. Despite this downturn, they remain tied with Los Angeles for the best record in the National League, although their lead in the NL East has dwindled to 7.5 games ahead of Atlanta. They will look to halt their losing streak and reclaim sole possession of first place with a win on Tuesday.
Philadelphia averages 4.85 runs per game, with a .255 batting average that ranks seventh in the league. Their on-base percentage of .326 is sixth, while their slugging percentage of .421 is also seventh.
Alec Bohm leads the Phillies with a .298 batting average and 78 RBIs, while Kyle Schwarber tops the team with 27 home runs.
On the pitching side, the Phillies have been solid, allowing only 3.63 runs per game. Their opponents hit .235 against them, which ranks ninth in the league. With a 3.65 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP, they are among the league’s top pitching teams.
In his last appearance, Walker struggled, giving up five hits and four runs in just four innings, leading to a 5-4 loss to Arizona. A stronger outing will be critical if the Phillies hope to secure a win.
Best Bets for Miami Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Marlins, though facing challenges this season, have shown promise in their recent road performances, winning three of their last five away games. Their offense has also stepped up, scoring 14 runs over their last three road contests. Given Walker’s recent struggles before his stint on the 15-Day IL, where he allowed at least three runs in four of his last five starts, Miami may find scoring opportunities. Additionally, Philadelphia’s bullpen has faltered, allowing 12 runs in their last three games, which could hinder their ability to stop the Marlins’ momentum.
The Phillies, despite being one of the league’s strongest offensive teams, have struggled recently, scoring only eight runs in their last three games. This slump coincides with Bellozo’s impressive pitching for Miami, who has surrendered just seven runs over his past four starts. Considering his success against strong offensive teams, it’s likely he will keep Philadelphia’s hitters at bay. Therefore, backing Miami to cover the money line appears to be a sensible choice.
