Marlins vs. Phillies Series Preview

The Miami Marlins jump right into the second half of the season with a doubleheader on Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Those will be 7-inning games before wrapping up with the standard 9-inning games over the weekend. The Fish will look to get off on a hot start as we get closer to the July 30 trade deadline.

This series preview will give you all the details:

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

Update: Sunday’s starter Pablo López was placed on the injured list with a right rotator cuff strain. Braxton Garrett will start in his place.

Schedule, Watch, Listen

Friday, July 16 at 4:05 pm & Game 2 to follow

Saturday, July 17 at 6:05 pm

Sunday, July 18 at 1:05 pm

• TV broadcast for all 4 games: Bally Sports Florida
• Radio broadcast for all 4 games: 940 AM WINZ, WAQI 710

Grid View

• Sandy Alcantara, Marlins starting pitcher in Game 1 Friday Photo by Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
• Matt Moore, Phillies starting pitcher in Game 1 Friday Photo by Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports
• Ross Detwiler, Marlins starting pitcher in Game 2 Friday Photo by Rhona Wise/USA TODAY Sports
• Zach Eflin, Phillies starting pitcher in Game 2 Friday Photo by David Banks/USA TODAY Sports
• Zach Thompson, Marlins starting pitcher on Saturday Photo by Jim Rassol/USA TODAY Sports
• Vince Velasquez, Phillies starting pitcher on Saturday Photo by David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports
• Pablo López, Marlins starting pitcher on Sunday Photo by Sam Navarro/USA TODAY Sports
• Zack Wheeler, Phillies starting pitcher on Sunday Photo by Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports

Probable Pitchers

Friday (Game 1): RHP Sandy Alcantara vs. LHP Matt Moore

• Alcantara: 3.09 ERA, 1.123 WHIP, 21.4 K%, 37.9 HardHit% in 116.2 IP
• Moore: 5.40 ERA, 1.642 WHIP, 16.3 K%, 40.0 HardHit% in 31.2 IP

Friday (Game 2): LHP Ross Detwiler vs. RHP Zach Eflin

• Detwiler: 4.32 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 27.1 K%, 32.2 HardHit% in 33.1 IP
• Eflin: 3.88 ERA, 1.216 WHIP, 22.3 K%, 39.0 HardHit% in 102.0 IP

Saturday: RHP Zach Thompson vs. RHP Vince Velasquez

• Thompson: 2.25 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 32.0 K%, 43.9 HardHit% in 24.0 IP
• Velasquez: 5.35 ERA, 1.438 WHIP, 24.4 K%, 40.8 HardHit% in 72.1 IP

Sunday: RHP Pablo López vs. RHP Zack Wheeler

• López: 3.03 ERA, 1.089 WHIP, 27.1 K%, 32.8 HardHit% in 101.0 IP
• Wheeler: 2.26 ERA, 0.969 WHIP, 30.8 K%, 29.2 HardHit% in 119.2 IP

Recent Lineups

FanGraphs.com

What to watch for on...

Friday: Win every day and twice on Friday.

• The Marlins have said their goal is to win every day and they are better than their record reflects. But coming off the All-Star Break, time is running out and the team can’t deny where they currently stand. Look for them to come out of the gates strong in their 14 innings against the Phillies on Friday.
• The Phillies game two starter is Zach Eflin, who these Marlins hitters have career success against: Miguel Rojas (10-for-30, 4 doubles, 1 home run), Adam Duvall (7-for-18, 2 home runs), Jesús Aguilar and Jon Berti (both 4-for-11), and Starling Marte (4-for-8, 3 doubles).

Photo by Sam Navarro/USA TODAY Sports

Saturday: Marlins hitters vs. Vince Velasquez.

• Marlins hitters combined vs. Velasquez: 31-for-106 (.292 batting average), 6 doubles, 2 home runs.
• Most of the Marlins hitters mentioned above have also hit Saturday’s starter well, specifically Rojas (7-for-19, 1 home run) and Marte (5-for-10, 1 double). The Marlins have to attack as soon as possible if they want any chance to compete in the NL East.

Sunday: Pablo López comes off his strong performance against the Atlanta Braves.

• López set the modern-era MLB record for most consecutive strikeouts to begin a game when he struck out the first nine hitters he faced.
• He’ll face Zack Wheeler who has been magnificent thus far. The All-Star right-hander leads the league in innings pitched (119.2) and has collected 145 strikeouts to just 26 walks.