Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Philadelphia Phillies

As the second half of the 2021 MLB season gets underway, the Miami Marlins find themselves 11-games below the .500 mark, with the next week most likely the final decision on what they do at the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline. Before that final decision is made however, the Fish will play four very important games over the weekend in Philadelphia.

The Phillies will open up the second half by welcoming Miami to Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia finished the 2021 first half with a 7-3 record in their last 10-games, and now find themselves only 3.5 games behind the Mets for first place in the NL East.

Miami Marlins (39-50, 5th in NL East) vs Philadelphia Phillies (44-44, 2nd in NL East)

• Friday, July 16 (Make-Up Game) – TBD – TBD vs Zach Eflin (4-6, 3.88 ERA)
• Friday, July 16 – 4:05 pm ET – TBD vs Matt Moore (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
• Saturday, July 17 – 6:05 pm ET – TBD vs Vince Velasquez (3-4, 5.35 ERA)
• Sunday, July 18 – 1:05 pm ET – TBD vs Zack Wheeler (6-5, 2.26 ERA)

The Marlins have performed well against the Phillies over the last two years, and that could continue here with the Marlins young arms leading the way. However, one player that could have the biggest impact in this series offensively for Miami is Garrett Cooper who is slashing .429/.568/.786 with three HR’s and six RBI’s so far during the month of July.

The Phillies meanwhile are led offensively by their usual big three names of Bryce Harper, JT Realmuto, and Rhys Hoskins, but their no-doubt best player so far this season has been 2B Jean Segura who is slashing .322/.371/.456 so far this season leading the teams’ position players in WAR at 2.8.

It’s clear that this is an extremely important series to begin the second half of the 2021 season for the Marlins, but it’s also very important for the Phillies as well. The Marlins need a series sweep to potentially jump back into contention in the NL East, and I’ll say they win at-least two of four here.

Series Prediction: 2-2 Series Split