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From loanDepot Park in Miami, we have the Phillies and Marlins facing off in an NL East matchup. The Phillies are 85-57 and they are starting Seth Johnson, while the Marlins are 53-89 and Edward Cabrera is on the mound for them. Philadelphia is 1st in the NL East, while the Marlins are 5th.
First pitch for this one is set for 1:40 PM ET, and NSPPH will be televising this matchup. The Phillies are the money line favorite, with their odds sitting at -133, while the Marlins are +111. The over/under line is currently 8.5 runs.
Philadelphia vs. Miami Key Information
- Teams: Phillies at Marlins
- Where: loanDepot Park Miami
- Date: Sunday, September 8th
- Betting Odds PHI -133 | MIA +111 O/U 8.5
The Phillies Can Win If…
Today, Seth Johnson gets the nod for the Phillies as they face the Marlins. It’s his chance to make a strong opening statement, as this will be his first time on the mound this year.
Heading into today’s game, Kyle Schwarber has been on a tear for the Phillies, going 11/23 with five homers over his last five games. For the season, Schwarber is batting .249 and is 9th in the league with 33 homers. His 93 RBIs are also good for 9th in the MLB and leads the Phillies. Schwarber is also on a six-game hitting streak.
As a team, the Phillies are 5th in the league in scoring at 4.9 runs per game. They have been even better at home, averaging 5.1 runs per contest. Overall, they are 3rd in batting average and have the 5th best on-base percentage in the league. Not only do the Phillies not strike out a ton, they are also among the league leaders in walks. Alec Bohm is batting .290 for the Phillies and has 13 homers.
- The Phillies are 7-3 in their last ten games.
- Over their last five games, the Phillies are 3-2 vs. the run line.
- Philadelphia has an over/under record of 5-4-1 in their last ten games.
- The Phillies have an average of 8.0 runs per game over their last five games.
- Across their last ten road games, the Phillies are 7-3
- Looking back across the Phillies last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
- Philadelphia has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
- In their ten most recent road games, the Phillies have averaged 7.1 runs per game on offense
The Marlins Can Win If…
Miami is sending right-hander Edward Cabrera to the mound today vs. the Phillies. He has made 16 starts this season and has a record of 3-6 with an ERA of 5.33. Cabrera’s WHIP for the season is 1.47, and opponents are batting .230 off him this season. In his 16 starts, he has turned in three quality starts and is averaging 9.95 strikeouts per nine innings. The last time he pitched, Cabrera picked up the win, going 5 1/3 innings and giving up one earned run. Before that outing, he had given up at least three earned runs in three straight starts.
For the season, the Marlins are averaging just 3.8 runs per game, which is 29th in the league. They are also near the bottom of the league in home runs and walks. As a team, they are batting .240, which is 14th in the league, and have the 17th fewest strikeouts in the league.
Jake Burger and Jesús Sánchez have been the Marlins’ top power threats this season, with Burger leading the team with 25 homers and Sánchez right behind him with 17. Burger is also the team’s leader in RBIs, with 60. Over his last seven games, Connor Norby has two homers and is hitting .276. Norby is also on a six-game hitting streak.
- The Marlins are 5-5 in their last ten games.
- Over their last five games, the Marlins are 2-3 vs. the run line.
- Miami has an over/under record of 4-6 in their last ten games.
- The Marlins have an average of 3.8 runs per game over their last five games.
- Across their last ten home games, the Marlins are 5-5
- Looking back across the Marlins last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
- Miami has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
- In their ten most recent road games, the Marlins have averaged 4.3 runs per game on offense
Seth Johnson Set for MLB Debut with the Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are sending a fresh face to the mound on Sunday as Seth Johnson, their 26-year-old right-hander, will make his highly anticipated MLB debut against the Miami Marlins. Even Phillies’ manager Rob Thomson was caught by surprise when he saw Johnson in the clubhouse for the first time on Saturday.
“I walked in and saw this new guy,” Thomson said. “I wasn’t expecting that, but after seeing what he’s done in the minors, I’m confident he’s ready.”
Johnson, drafted 40th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019, has been working his way up the minor leagues this season. Despite a modest 2-7 record, his impressive 2.33 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 88 2/3 innings have proven he’s got the potential to make an impact at the major league level. Johnson’s debut couldn’t come at a better time, as the Phillies (85-57) look to shake off a 9-5 loss on Saturday and continue their push to secure the NL East lead.
Marlins Turn to Edward Cabrera for Stability
On the other side, the Marlins (53-89) will rely on Edward Cabrera to help them avoid a series loss. Cabrera, who missed his scheduled Friday start due to a migraine, is now cleared to take the mound on Sunday.
Cabrera’s season has been a rollercoaster, posting a 3-6 record with a 5.33 ERA, largely due to control issues—averaging five walks per nine innings. In his five career starts against the Phillies, he’s put up a 1-2 record with a 4.70 ERA, so Sunday will be a test to see if he can bring some consistency and give Miami a shot at splitting the series.
Marlins Rookies Making Waves
The Marlins have been showcasing some of their young talent, and it’s paying off. Javier Sanoja, who made his major league debut on Saturday, collected an RBI with a pinch-hit groundout and showed his versatility, with Marlins’ manager Skip Schumaker praising his ability to play multiple positions.
“He’s a great asset,” Schumaker said. “He can play all over the field, and with his bat-to-ball skills, we think he can help us against power arms.”
Another young star, rookie third baseman Connor Norby, also stepped up in Saturday’s game, going 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. His offensive output has been a bright spot in a rough season for the Marlins, who hope to keep building around their young talent.
What to Watch For
With Seth Johnson making his MLB debut, all eyes will be on how the Phillies’ top prospect performs on the big stage. Can he rise to the occasion and help the Phillies bounce back after their six-game winning streak was snapped? Meanwhile, Edward Cabrera will try to stabilize the Marlins’ pitching and shake off any lingering effects of his recent health issues.
The Phillies are eager to secure the series win and keep their momentum strong in the playoff race, while the Marlins look to avoid the sweep and continue developing their young stars.
Sunday’s game will be a showcase of young talent, and both teams are determined to finish the series on a high note as the Phillies eye a deep postseason run.
The Lean
For an over/under pick, our lean would be on the under, as this is our lowest projected scoring game of the day. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have our lean on the Phillies to pick up the win. Philadelphia starter Seth Johnson has the lowest strikeout projection among today’s starters, but we still have the Phillies taking this one. Between the two starters, we have Edward Cabrera as today’s 12th best strikeout option.
