The Miami Marlins and the Philadelphia Phillies meet Tuesday in MLB Wild Card playoffs action from Citizens Bank Park. Miami finished at 84-77 overall this year, finishing off the campaign with a series win over the Pirates last weekend. As for the Phillies, they went 90-72 in 2023 to finish in the first Wild Card Slot. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Miami Marlins 

In their final series of the regular season over the weekend, Miami took on the Pirates. The Marlins managed a 4-3 win Friday and a 7-3 victory in game two, but then lost a little momentum with a 3-0 loss in the finale. Miami had just three hits in the final game, one each from Xavier Edwards, Jesus Sanchez and Garrett Hampson. 

In the starting pitcher role for the Marlins on Tuesday, it’ll be Jesus Luzardo. This year Luzardo went 10-9 with a 3.63 ERA in 32 games and 208 Ks in 178.2 innings. Luzardo has a career record of 0-1 in the playoffs with a 5.91 ERA in three games (two starts). 

Miami Marlins Team Facts

The Marlins have won each of their last five games as underdogs against NL East opponents following a loss.
The Marlins have covered the run line in each of their last 12 night games against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park following a loss.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Marlins’ last three road games against NL East opponents.
The Marlins have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games as underdogs against NL East opponents.
The Marlins have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven road games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.

Philadelphia Phillies 

Over on the Philadelphia side, they finished off the regular season with a matchup versus the Mets at Citi Field. Philadelphia lost 4-3 and 11-4 in the two doubleheader games on Saturday, but fended off the sweep with a 9-1 win in the finale. Philly’s Brandon Marsh (four RBI) and Alec Bohm (two RBI) each homered in the victory. 

Zack Wheeler will take the mound for the starting role Tuesday. Wheeler went 13-6 with a 3.61 ERA this year, striking out 212 in 192.0 innings. Wheeler is 1-3 with a 2.78 ERA in six postseason starts, bagging 33 Ks in 35.2 innings. 

Philadelphia Phillies Team Facts

The Phillies have lost each of their last four games as home favorites against the Marlins following a win.
The Phillies have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight home games against National League opponents following a road win.
The Phillies have trailed after 7 innings in four of their last five playoff games as home favorites.
The Phillies have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games against the Marlins.
The Phillies have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games against the Marlins.

Matchup/League Facts

The Philadelphia Phillies are one of only 3 teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and batting average this season.
The Philadelphia Phillies are one of only 3 teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and home runs this season.
The Miami Marlins rank 27th in the league for RBI’s this season (633).
The Miami Marlins rank 4th in the league for batting average this season (.259).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I might take a stab on the Marlins in this one. Luzardo has been pretty good over his last three starts—outside of a sketchy three earned in 5.0 innings versus Milwaukee on September 23. In that trio Luzardo is 1-0 with four earned in 18.1 innings. As for Wheeler, he’s 2-0 with five earned runs over his last 17.0 innings in three starts. Philadelphia closed the season with a rough 1-3 run, however they’re also 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Marlins are 6-4 in their last 10, and they’ve scored four or more runs in five of their last seven games. Luzardo is going to have to set the table well here, but I think Miami can pull off the opener win if all goes according to plan.