Luis Arraez will be looking to extend his 21-game on-base streak as the Miami Marlins (51-39) host the Philadelphia Phillies (48-39) at loanDepot Park on Saturday.
The Phillies took Friday’s series opener 4-3, their fourth straight victory overall and second in four games against the Marlins this season.
Jeff Hoffman threw two scoreless innings of relief to get the win, and Craig Kimbrel earned his 14th save with a scoreless ninth. J.T. Realmuto was 2 for 3 with a home run and two runs in the win.
Cristian Pache added a home run and two RBIs. Garrett Cooper went 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the Marlins. Joey Wendle added two doubles and one run.
ON THE MOUND
Ranger Suarez (2-3, 3.67 ERA) is in line to start for Philadelphia. The left-hander allowed five runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 5-4 home defeat against the Nationals on Sunday.
He was charged with the loss, giving up seven hits while striking out five and walking three. Suarez is making his first appearance against the Marlins this season.
Over two starts against the Marlins in 2022, Suarez was 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA over 10 innings. He had eight strikeouts and three walks. For Miami, LHP Braxton Garrett (4-2, 3.61 ERA) will toe the rubber.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Phillies. Garrett made one start against the Phillies in 2022, throwing 4.2 innings in a 4-1 road defeat on August 9.
He gave up eight hits while striking out three in the loss. In his last start on Monday, Garrett took a no-decision at home against the Cardinals. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out six, in the 5-4 win.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Philadelphia has averaged 4.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.5. Against southpaws like Garrett this season, the Phils have a .746 OPS.
Nick Castellanos is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .958 OPS in 89 at-bats. Miami is averaging 6.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.2 for the season, with a higher slash line (.316/.373/.475).
The Fish have a .804 OPS against left-handers in 2023, the third highest in MLB. With a 1.238 OPS over 64 at-bats, Jorge Soler has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Philadelphia is on a 13-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 26-23 in 2023. The Phils have scored 4.5 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.8 runs.
Miami has gone 28-18 at their home park this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 games at loanDepot Park between the NL East rivals, Philadelphia is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 4.5-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Phillies are third in the NL East, 11 games behind the division-leading Braves. The Marlins are second in the NL East, nine games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Miami Marlins (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
