Phillies vs. Marlins Series Preview

The Miami Marlins host the Philadelphia Phillies for a 4-game series before hitting the road for a few interleague matchups. In this series preview, you’ll get all the details:

• Schedule, Watch, Listen
• Probable Pitchers
• Recent Lineups
• What To Watch For

Schedule, Watch, Listen

Monday, May 24 at 6:40 pm

Tuesday, May 25 at 6:40 pm

Wednesday, May 26 at 6:40 pm

• TV broadcast for the first 3 games: Bally Sports App or BallySports.com (Due to the other South Florida sports teams playoff run (!!), this week’s Marlins games may not be available on Bally Sports Florida for all fans. Fear not, click the link above to watch the usual broadcast with Paul, Todd, Kelly, and Craig.)
• Radio broadcast for the first 3 games: 940 AM WINZ, WAQI 710

Thursday, May 27 at 12:10 pm

• TV: YouTube
• Radio: 940 AM WINZ, WAQI 710

Grid View

• Phillies pitcher Zach Eflin Photo by Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports
• Marlins pitcher Trevor Rogers Photo by Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports
• Phillies pitcher Vince Velasquez Photo by Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports
• Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara Photo by Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
• Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola Photo by Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports
• Marlins pitcher Nick Neidert Photo by Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports
• Phillies pitcher Spencer Howard Photo by Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports
• Marlins pitcher Pablo López Photo by Rhona Wise/USA TODAY Sports

Probable Pitchers

Monday: RHP Zach Eflin vs. LHP Trevor Rogers

• Eflin: 3.77 ERA, 1.151 WHIP, 24.6 K%, 44.4 HardHit% in 57.1 IP
• Rogers: 1.74 ERA, 1.045 WHIP, 32.2 K%, 42.6 HardHit% in 51.2 IP

Tuesday: RHP Vince Velasquez vs. RHP Sandy Alcantara

• Velasquez: 3.52 ERA, 1.337 WHIP, 30.3 K%, 46.6 HardHit% in 30.2 IP
• Alcantara: 3.63 ERA, 1.123 WHIP, 25.8 K%, 39.7 HardHit% in 57.0 IP

Wednesday: RHP Aaron Nola vs. RHP Nick Neidert

• Nola: 3.94 ERA, 1.129 WHIP, 28.5 K%, 34.0 HardHit% in 59.1 IP
• Neidert: 6.75 ERA, 2.000 WHIP, 14.0 K%, 43.2 HardHit% in 12.0 IP

Thursday: RHP Spencer Howard vs. RHP Pablo López

• Howard: 7.36 ERA, 1.773 WHIP, 36.1 K%, 25.0 HardHit% in 7.1 IP
• López: 2.73 ERA, 1.179 WHIP, 23.6 K%, 28.2 HardHit% in 56.0 IP

Recent Lineups

FanGraphs.com

What to watch for on...

Monday: Trevor Rogers’ cat-and-mouse game.

• Rogers’ last start (May 19 vs. Phillies): 7.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K.
• Manager Don Mattingly mentioned earlier this season that facing a team for a second series soon after the first can be a challenge, but that it’s a good way to see how players adjust. Rogers was simply brilliant last outing against the Phillies, minus allowing a solo home run to Andrew McCutchen. Three of Rogers’ eight strikeouts came against Bryce Harper. The Rogers vs. Harper matchup, as Marlins’ broadcaster Todd Hollandsworth noted, may be one of the hitter’s toughest for many years to come.

Tuesday: Sandy Alcantara’s cat-and-mouse game.

• Alcantara’s last start (May 20 vs. Phillies): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 K.
• After his worst start of his career against the Los Angeles Dodgers (1.1 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 3 K), Alcantara bounced back and pitched a gem against the Phillies. Like Rogers on Monday, Alcantara will have to make adjustments this time around. How will the Phillies adjust to him? But more importantly, how will Alcantara adjust to them?

Photo by Rhona Wise/USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday: Brian Anderson vs. Aaron Nola.

• Anderson career vs. Nola: 9-for-25, 1 2B, 1 BB, 7 K.
• After struggling mightily at the plate to begin the season, Anderson has started to heat up in May. Looking specifically at Nola, Anderson has had the most success against him of all Marlins hitters. Nola records a lot of first-pitch strikes, getting to an 0-and-1 count 66.3% of the time. In his career, Anderson thrives when he swings on the first pitch, slashing .376/.411/.613. Look for him to attack early against Nola on Wednesday.

Thursday: Marlins hitters vs. Spencer Howard.

• Only one of Howard’s four appearances have been a start so Thursday afternoon will be his second start in the 2021 season. All six of his appearances in 2020 were starts.
• In his start against the Boston Red Sox, he allowed just one hit over three innings and struck out five batters, but he also walked four. It’s likely the Marlins will see the Phillies’ bullpen early, which is a good thing because their bullpen has been less than stellar. The Marlins have also hit relief pitchers better than starters, recording a .610 OPS against starters and a .740 OPS against relievers. If the Marlins can get to Howard early, they’ll be able to take advantage of the Phillies’ bullpen.