MLB Preview: Philadelphia Phillies (58-49) at Miami Marlins (57-51)

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:

GAME #107 RECAP: The Phillies won a wild one, 3-1 over the Marlins on South Beach … Starter Ranger Suarez (ND) went 6.1 innings and allowed 1 run on 10 hits with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts … Trailing 1-0 in the 9th, Kyle Schwarber walked to lead off the inning – Bryce Harper then doubled to score pinch-runner Jake Cave from 1st base before Nick Castellanos homered to give the Phils a 3-1 lead … Seranthony Dominguez picked up his 1st save of the season … With a win tonight, the Phillies would match their season high watermark in games over .500 at 10 (52-42 on 7/18) and would clinch a series win in a fourgame series in Miami for the first time since Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2017.

CY YOUNG IN HIS SIGHTS: Right-hander Zack Wheeler leads all MLB pitchers in fWAR this season at 4.4 – Among National League starters, Zac Gallen ranks 2nd at 3.7 (0.7 wins behind Wheeler), Spencer Strider ranks 3rd at 3.7 (0.7 wins behind Wheeler), Justin Steele ranks 4th at 3.1 (1.3 wins behind Wheeler) and Jesus Luzardo ranks 5th at 2.9 (1.5 wins behind Wheeler) … Wheeler leads the National League in Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) at 2.74 (next: Strider, 2.91) & strikeout/walk ratio (6.04) and ranks 2nd in Expected ERA (xERA) at 3.17, 3rd in HR/9.0 IP at 0.72, 3rd in BB% at 4.6%, 3rd in average exit velocity at 86.6 MPH and 5th in SO% at 27.9% … With a 3.74 ERA and 2.74 FIP, Wheeler has the largest gap between both metrics of any pitcher in baseball this season (next: Strider, 0.70: 3.61 ERA/2.91 FIP) … No starting pitcher in MLB has had an ERA in the 3’s (or better) with a 1.00 difference in ERA/FIP since Dwight Gooden in 1990 (3.83 ERA/2.44 FIP).

FIGHT CLUB: Trailing 1-0 in the top of the 9th last night, the Phillies stormed back with three runs and secured their sixth win this season when they trailed entering the 9th inning … Philadelphia’s six such wins are the most in MLB this season (next: MIA and CLE with 5) and their most since 2017 when they also had six … This marks the 21st time in franchise history they have had six wins in a season when trailing entering the 9th inning – the club record is eight wins, done four times: 1893, 1913, 1963 and 1979.

ARMS RACE: Over the last 50 games (since 6/3), the Phillies’ starting rotation has gone 19-11 with a 3.12 ERA (103 ER, 297.1 IP) with 294 strikeouts to 75 walks (3.92 SO/BB ratio) – this marks the lowest ERA by a Phillies rotation over a 50-game span in a season since Aug. 6-Sept. 28, 2011, when they posted a 2.60 ERA over a 50-game stretch … During this current run, they have the lowest OPS among all starting staffs in MLB at .657 (next: SD, .673), the lowest opponents AVG at .228 (next: MIL, .231), the lowest opponents OBP at .282 (next: MIA, .288), the lowest WHIP at 1.11 (next: MIA, 1.12) and the most innings pitched at 297.1 (next: HOU, 290.1) – their 3.12 ERA ranks 2nd in MLB (best: SD, 2.92) and their .376 opponents SLG ranks 2nd at .376 (best: SD, .375) … The staff has gone at least 6.0 innings in 33 of those 50 games (66%), at least 7.0 innings in 14 of those 50 games (28%) and of their 50 starts, 27 have been quality starts (54%) … Since June 3, the Phillies bullpen has tossed the fewest innings of any relief corps in MLB at 157.2 (29th is MIN at 161.0 and most is SF at 247.2) but have the 3rdlowest ERA in MLB at 3.25, trailing only SF (3.13) and ATL (3.22) … Philadelphia’s starters and relievers have combined for 16.0 fWAR this season which leads MLB (next: SEA, 14.3) and is more than three full wins clear of the next closest NL club (MIA, 12.6 fWAR).

REMEMBER THE FIGHTINS: The Phillies have won 33 of their last 50 games (since 6/3) and their .660 winning percentage since June 3rd ranks 2nd in MLB behind only ATL (35-13, .729).… This marks Philadelphia’s best 50-game span since July 29-Sept. 20, 2011, when they also went 33-17 on their way to a franchise-record 102-win season … The Phils opened the 2023 season on the road and went 1-5 in six games through TEX (0-3) and NYY (1-2) … Since then (4/7-current), they are 57-44 with a .564 winning percentage that ranks 2nd in the National League behind only ATL (.633) and T-5th in MLB (with TEX).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE: Kyle Schwarber enters tonight’s game with 79 walks which ranks 2nd in MLB (Soto, 98 BB) and is only seven shy of his career-high 86, which he set last season – Schwarber has a higher OBP this season (.325) than he did last year (.323) … On this road trip (7/28- current), Schwarber has 12 walks in 24 plate appearances and has drawn multiple walks in all five games … Schwarber is the first Phillies player to walk at least twice in five straight games since Pat Burrell, July 11-16, 2002 (6 G) … Schwarber is only the second Phillies player in the Modern Era (since 1900) with 12+ walks in a five-game span, the other being Roy Thomas who walked 12 times over a five-game stretch in April of 1907 – the last MLB player before Schwarber to walk 12 times in a five-game span was Shohei Ohtani (13 BB) in September of 2021.

RISP AND REWARD: Since June 3, the Phillies rank 3rd in the National League and 5th in MLB with a .282 AVG with runners in scoring position (121-for-429) and trail only BAL (.305 AVG), CHI (.285), DET (.284 AVG) and ATL (.283 AVG) … Philadelphia’s .363 OBP with RISP since June 3rd ranks 4th in MLB behind only LAD (.384 OBP) BAL (.369 OBP) and ATL (.366 OBP) … League average since 6/3 with RISP is a .258 AVG/.337 OBP … AVG/OBP leaders for the Phillies since 6/3: Alec Bohm (.380 AVG/.418 OBP), Bryson Stott (.324 AVG/.364 OBP), Nick Castellanos (.294 AVG/.302 OBP), Bryce Harper (.292 AVG/.352 OBP) and Trea Turner (.292 AVG/.382 OBP)… OPS leaders for the Phils with RISP since June 3: Kyle Schwarber (1.050 OPS), Bohm (.938 OPS) and Castellanos (.890 OPS).

HATS OFF TO YOU THOMS: Since Rob Thomson was named manager of the Phillies on June 3, 2022, the Phils are 28 games over .500 at 123-95 with a .564 winning percentage that ranks T-5th in MLB (with SEA), trailing only ATL (.670), LAD (.634), HOU (.612) and BAL (.588) … On June 15 at ARI, Thomson reached 100 career wins in 180 games at the helm which was tied for the 6th fastest of the 56 managers in Phillies history and the fastest since Pat Corrales in 1983 (also 180 games).

EVERY TIME THE MOON SHINES I BECOME ALIVE: The Phillies entered play on June 5 with an 11- 21 record in night games this year (.344 win %) … Since then, they have gone 21-9 (.700 win %) and enter play tonight one game over .500 during night games at 31-30 (13-13 at home/18-17 on the road) … Last season, the Phillies went 62-47 at night on their way to an NL pennant which included a 35-19 mark under the lights at CBP.

TONIGHT’S STARTER – ZACK WHEELER • RHP #45
2023: 8-5, 3.74 ERA Career: 82-62, 3.45 ERA

LAST START: 7/28 at PIT: W, 6.2 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, 11 SO … Wheeler vs Keller … The Phillies opened up their 7-game road trip with a 2-1 win over the Pirates at PNC Park … Kyle Schwarber (2-2, 2 RBI, 3 BB) provided the Phillies’ offense with a 2-run HR in the 3rd inning … After a 42-minute delay, Jeff Hoffman (0.2 IP, hold), Gregory Soto (0.2 IP, hold) and Craig Kimbrel (1.0 IP, 17th SV) combined for 2.1 scoreless innings of relief.

TONIGHT’S START:

• Last Time Out: Wheeler had struck out 11 batters in 6.2 IP and 90 pitches before a rain delay cut his outing short … It was the third outing of the season with 10+ strikeouts for Wheeler and his second one in which he did it less than 7.0 IP … It was the 6th time in Wheeler’s career he had 10+ strikeouts in less than 7.0 IP and the second time he had multiple of such outings in one year (other: twice in 2014)
• In the Zone: In his last 5 starts (31.2 IP), Wheeler has walked only 2 batters … It is the first time in his career that he has walked 2 or fewer batters in a 5-game span … On the year, Wheeler’s 4.6% walk % ranks T-8th among pitchers with at least 80.0 IP
• Dog Days: In July, Wheeler had the following NL ranks: 1st in SO/BB (19.50), 2nd in BB/9.0 IP (0.57) and FIP (2.66), 3rd in OPP OBP (.236), 4th in WHIP (0.57), 5th in strikeouts (39), 11th in OPP AVG (.223), 12th in IP (31.2) and 13th in OPP SLG (.397)
• Zack With a K: Wheeler has 39 strikeouts in his last 5 starts … It’s the 20th time in his career he’s had at least 39 strikeouts in a 5-game span and the first time since recording 43 K’s from 5/18- 6/11/22 … Wheeler currently ranks T-5th in the NL in strikeouts (145), with everyone in front of him having at least 1 more start
• All About the Ratio: Wheeler’s SO/BB rate of 6.04 is the best in the NL and 4th best in MLB … It is currently the best SO/BB rate of any season in his career (2
  nd best: 2021, 5.37)
• Quality Control: Wheeler ranks T-5th in the National League with 13 quality starts and has earned one in 4 straight outings
• Whiffs: Wheeler is running a whiff rate of 30% or greater on three different pitches this year: Sweeper (43.9%), 4-seam Fastball (30.8%) and Curveball (30.8%)
• The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Since he signed with the Phillies as a free agent (since 2020), Wheeler ranks 1st among all pitchers in MLB in fWAR at 17.7 and he leads Corbin Burnes who ranks 2nd at 16.6, Kevin Gausman ranks 3rd (16.0), Aaron Nola 4th (14.9) and Sandy Alcantara 5th (13.4)
• Statcast Rankings: 98th percentile in extension, 94th percentile in walk rate, 89th percentile in fastball spin, 88th percentile in average exit velocity, 85th percentile in barrel rate, 82nd percentile in fastball velocity, 81st percentile in curve spin and 79th percentile in SO rate • Pitch Usage: 4-seam fastball (42%), Sinker (17.1%), Slider (16%), Sweeper (12.8%), Curveball (11.8%), Changeup (0.3%)

ROAD:

• 2023: 6-3, 3.48 ERA (25 ER, 64.2 IP) in 11 starts
• Career: 44-29, 3.48 ERA (249 ER, 643.0 IP) in 108 starts

2023 SEASON:

• Took a no-hitter into the 8th inning on 6/8 vs DET which was the longest no-hit bid of his career (previous: 6.1 innings on 7/30/13 vs MIA)
• Reached 10 years of ML service on Sunday (6/11) vs LAD
• Recorded his 18th career double-digit strikeout game and 10th as a Phillie on 5/27 at ATL
• Racked up a career-high 23 swings and misses on 4/23 vs COL
• Made his 200th career start on 4/23 vs COL

MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:

MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today play the third of four games against Philadelphia, which wraps up a seven-game homestand that began with a three-game series against Detroit, with Miami taking two of three. Miami is in the midst of a 13-game stretch without a day off, as the club will head to Texas and Cincinnati for a six-game road trip from Aug. 4-9.

NEW FISH ON THE POND
The Marlins finalized three transactions within an hour of MLB’s August 1 trade deadline yesterday:

• Acquired INF Jake Burger from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Minor League pitcher LHP Jake Eder. Burger, 27, was tied for 3rd in the American League, and tied for 9th in MLB, at the time of the trade with 25 home runs this season. The slugging infielder recorded 8 home runs in July, tied for 5th most in MLB. He is currently hitting a home run per every 11.76 at bats, which was the 2nd-best mark in the AL, behind only Shohei Ohtani (10.10).
• Acquired INF Josh Bell from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for INF Jean Segura and Minor League INF Kahlil Watson. Bell, 30, earned NL Silver Slugger honors (DH) last season, posting 29 doubles, 17 home runs and 71 RBI. He began the season with Washington, where he hit 25 doubles, 3 doubles, 14 home runs, and 57 RBI in 103 games before being traded to the San Diego Padres. He finished the season ranked sixth in the NL in walks (81) and eighth in on-base percentage (.362). On the year, he appeared in 124 games at first base and 32 as the designated hitter.
• Acquired LHP Ryan Weathers from the San Diego Padres in exchange for INF Garrett Cooper, RHP Sean Reynolds, and cash considerations. Weathers, 23, made his Major League debut with the Padres in Game 1 of the 2020 NLDS at 20 years and 294 days old, becoming the second-youngest player to ever debut during the Postseason. Having never pitched above Single-A in his professional career, he became the first Padre to make their Major League debut in the Postseason, tossing 1.1 innings with 2 walks and 1 strikeout. He is the son of former Marlins pitcher David Weathers.

FISH BYTES

• The Marlins are tied for their 3rd-best start to a season through the club’s first 108 games (57-51, .528), with the 2016 and 2008 teams. The only better starts came in 1997 (62-46, .574) and 2003 (59-49, .546).
• Miami ranks first in the National League with 972 H (2nd in MLB), and ranks 2nd with a collective .265 AVG (trailing only ATL, .269), which is the 3rd-best in MLB.
• The Marlins pitching staff leads the National League with 1,012 strikeouts.
• The Marlins own National League-lead with 45 games in which the offense has collected 10+ hits, ranking t-2nd in MLB behind only Texas (52) for the MLB lead. In 2022, the Marlins collected 10+ hits in 43 of their 162 games – the second-least such games in the first 30 seasons of the franchise.

SERIES SPOTLIGHT
The Marlins are in the midst of their third of four series against the Phillies, who they have fared 4-4 against so far this year. Won each of the first two series, one in Philadelphia back in April (2-1), and the other at loanDepot park from July 7-9 (2-1). After dropping the series opener, Miami won the final two games to advance to a season-high 14 G over .500.

YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami fell late to Philadelphia, 3-1, after RHP David Robertson’s blown save. RHP Sandy Alcantara shut out the Phillies over 8.0 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 walk with 5 strikeouts. The Marlins collected 11 total hits, and left 11 runners on base, with the lone run coming in the 3rd inning on a RBI-double by RF Avisail Garcia.

ENTER SANDMAN
RHP Sandy Alcantara followed up his complete game in his last start with 8.0 shutout innings last night vs. Philadelphia. Is the third pitcher in MLB to go at least 8.0 innings in back-to-back starts, joining CHC’s Marcus Stroman and TEX’s Nathan Eovaldi who did so in 3 straight starts. • In addition to the charts to the right, Alcantara yesterday tied Anibal Sanchez and Tom Koehler for the 5th-most starts as a Marlin with 132. He currently ranks 9th in wins (38), behind Josh Beckett (41) for the 8th most in Marlins history. Ranks 4th in Marlins history in CG wins, behind only Dontrelle Willis (13), A.J. Burnett (12), and Kevin Brown (10).

• Last Wednesday, July 26, at Tampa Bay, RHP Sandy Alcantara hurled his 11th career complete game – almost twice as many as any other pitcher since 2019 (Adam Wainwright-6). Was his 2nd complete game win of the season (also April 4 v. MIN), joining TEX’s Nathan Eovaldi as the only two pitchers to throw multiple complete game in 2023.

FULL STRENGTH
The Marlins this week returned CF Jazz Chisholm Jr. and RF Avisail Garcia from the IL. The pair, who were both in the Opening Day lineup, had combined to play in just 67 games for the Marlins this season prior to their returns.

• CF Jazz Chisholm Jr. has missed a combined 59 games across two IL stints (turf toe and left oblique strain). Made his first start back in center field Monday night, going 1×3 with 1 double in his first at bat, 1 walk, and 1 stolen base.
• RF Avisail Garcia made his return to the Marlins lineup on Sunday and has gone 4×8 with 1 2B, 1 3B, and 2 RBI, recording 2 multi-hit games and an RBI in each of his 2 starts.

LA REGADERA
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .381 AVG (151×391), .429 OBP, and 151 hits.

• Is hitting .474 (37×78) with RISP, also the best mark among qualifiers.
• Marks the most hits and highest AVG by a Marlin through his first 102 games of a season.
• His 44 multi-hit games are the tied for the most in MLB. Has a Major League-most 16 games of at least 3 hits. Owns 6 games with at least 4 hits this year, most in the Majors and most by a Marlins player in a single season.
• Is one of only 7 players to carry a .381 AVG or better through his team’s first 108 games of the season, and the first since Nomar Garciaparra (.392).

SOLER POWER
DH/OF Jorge Soler is tied for 6th in the National League (t-9th in MLB) with 25 home runs. Is tied for the fourth-most homers in MLB, behind Luis Robert Jr. (18), Mookie Betts (17), Shohei Ohtani (15), and Kyle Schwarber (15).

• In 907 career at-bats post-ASB, Soler has 65 home runs (13.9 AB/HR). In 1,849 at-bats pre-ASB, Soler has 86 career homers (21.5 AB/HR).

STARTING PITCHER – #29 BRAXTON GARRETT

• Braxton Garrett, 25, will make his 21st start (22nd app.) of the season today. Will mark his fifth career start against the Philadelphia Phillies.
• Last faced Philadelphia on July 8 at loanDepot park. Earned the win, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits (1 home run) over 5.0 innings. Struck out 3.
• In his most recent start vs. Detroit on July 28, pitched 6.0 innings, allowing 1 unearned run on 5 hits and 1 walk with 6 strikeouts over 6.0 innings. Helped the Marlins secure a 6-5 win.
• Leads all NL starting pitchers with a 6.88 (117/17) K/BB ratio (min. 100.0 IP).
• The Marlins are 15-6 in Garrett’s starts this year, including 8 consecutive wins from May 31 – July 8.
• Has allowed 3 runs of fewer in 7 of his last 10 starts. Has held opponents to 1 or 0 ER in 11 of his 20 starts; tied for second among NL starting pitchers.
• Finished June with a 3-0 record and a 2.22 ERA (28.1/7), walking just 3 batters while striking out 38 in 5 starts and posting a 0.78 WHIP. The only two players in Club history to finish the month of June with a lower WHIP (min. 25.0 IP) were Jose Fernandez in 2016 (0.70) and Brad Penny in 2001 (0.73).
• Career, RHB vs. Garrett: .277 AVG (194×701), .336 OBP, .800 OPS. LHB vs. Garrett: .235 AVG (50×213), .306 OBP, .644 OPS. Has allowed only 4 HR in 213 AB vs. LHB.
• In 10 starts (11 apps.) at loanDepot park this season, owns a 5.40 ERA (55.0/33) and has gone 2-2 with 63 strikeouts. In 10 starts away, is 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA (51.0/15) and 54 strikeouts.