The Philadelphia Phillies (82-56, 69-69 RL, 64-67-7 O/U) are set to face off against the Miami Marlins (51-87, 64-74 RL, 75-60-3 O/U) in a four-game divisional series commencing on Friday evening. Starting for the Phillies will be Ranger Suarez, while the Marlins will counter with Adam Oller. The Phillies currently lead the season series 5-4.
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Phillies Looking to Extend Their Lead in the East
Ranger Suarez will take the mound on Friday night. His last outing wasn’t his best, allowing four runs on five hits over four innings against the Braves, which resulted in a loss. Suarez’s recent form has been shaky, as he has given up at least three runs in four of his last five starts. He holds a 3.02 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP, with an 11-6 record over 128.1 innings this season. Against the Marlins this year, he has surrendered six runs in 11.2 innings and has a career 3.47 ERA against them over 70 innings.
Philadelphia has been on a roll, winning three consecutive series and sitting comfortably seven games ahead of the Braves in the division. They recently triumphed in three out of four games against the Braves at home and secured a win in the first game of a two-game series against the Blue Jays. The team boasts a four-game advantage over .500 when playing away from home.
Nick Castellanos has been a key contributor, hitting three home runs and driving in 12 runs over his last 10 games. The 32-year-old has tallied 19 home runs and 77 RBIs this season, along with a respectable .721 OPS. Notably, Castellanos has recorded seven RBIs against the Marlins this season.
As a team, the Phillies average 4.85 runs per game, ranking them sixth in the league, while their pitching staff boasts a 3.71 ERA, placing them fifth overall.
Marlins Rely on Oller’s Resilience
The Marlins will turn to Adam Oller for this matchup. Oller impressed in his last performance, throwing five scoreless innings against the Giants, though he did not earn a decision in a game his team ultimately lost. Throughout the season, he has made three starts, allowing just six runs over 16.1 innings, which translates to a 3.31 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP, with a 1-1 record. This will be his first career start against the Phillies.
Miami has faced challenges this season, especially after trading away several key players in July. However, they managed to secure two out of three victories against the Giants last week, marking their first series win in nearly a month. Unfortunately, they stumbled in a recent 6-2 defeat against the Nationals. The Marlins currently sit 16 games below .500 at home.
Jake Burger has emerged as a bright spot for Miami, belting 10 home runs and driving in 17 runs through August. The 28-year-old has enjoyed a standout season, totaling 25 home runs and 59 RBIs, with a solid .766 OPS. He has three RBIs and a .696 OPS against the Phillies this season.
As a team, Miami averages 3.80 runs per game, placing them 29th in the league, while their pitching staff has an ERA of 4.72, ranking them 28th overall.
Strategic Bets for Phillies vs. Marlins Showdown
While the Philadelphia Phillies are currently on a winning streak, there is potential for a letdown series following their recent matchups against the Astros and Braves. The Marlins have shown competitiveness against their division rivals, trailing the season series by a slim margin of 5-4.
Additionally, the performance of Phillies pitcher Ranger Suarez raises some concerns. He recorded a troubling 6.61 ERA last month and a 5.00 ERA in August. In contrast, Adam Oller of the Marlins has been consistent, allowing just six runs in his 16.1 innings pitched this season, including a standout six scoreless innings in his last game against the Giants. The Phillies have struggled in four of Suarez’s last five outings.
