Categories: Series Previews

Phillies welcome Marlins for Alumni Weekend series

The Phillie Phanatic stands at home plate during the National Anthem prior to the second game of a three-game series with the Dodgers. (Matt Veasey/PhilliesNation)

Following a split on the road against the Boston Red Sox, the Philadelphia Phillies come home to host the last place Miami Marlins for a four-game series.

This should be a series that the Phillies are able to capitalize on as they look to hold onto their lead in the National League East. However, the Phillies have had trouble against the Marlins this year, as they are 4-5 against the Fish entering this weekend series. 

In this series, we will see every member of the rotation on the mound besides Jake Arrieta. Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez and Zach Eflin all struggled against the Cincinnati Reds in their most recent starts, so they’ll be looking to bounce back. This series is just the kind of series for the group to bounce back as they will be facing a Marlins rotation where every pitcher has less than four wins and has an ERA above four. And then Aaron Nola, coming off of perhaps the finest start of his career, will get the ball in the series finale Sunday. 

The Phillies will don their powder blue throwback jerseys in the series-opener as part of their Throwback Thursday promotion. It’s perhaps a fitting start to the series, which will be played during Phillies Alumni Weekend. Friday, Shane Victorino will officially retire as a Phillie. Saturday, both the late Roy Halladay and former general manager Pat Gillick will be inducted onto the Phillies Wall of Fame. Sunday, the Phillies will honor the 10-year anniversary of their 2008 World Series title, with many members of the team scheduled to be present.

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Nick Pivetta (6-9, 4.85 ERA, 3.61 FIP) vs. Pablo Lopez (2-2, 5.34 ERA, 4.98 FIP)

Game 2: Vince Velasquez (7-8, 4.02 ERA, 3.72 FIP) vs. Trevor Richards (3-5, 4.06 ERA, 3.65 FIP)

Game 3: Zach Eflin (7-3, 3.64 ERA, 3.76 FIP) vs. Jose Urena (3-10, 4.40 ERA, 3.94 FIP)

Game 4: Aaron Nola (12-3, 2.35 ERA, 2.67 FIP) vs. Wei-Yin Chen (3-8, 5.86 ERA, 5.12 FIP)

Where to Watch/Listen

Game 1

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game 2

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game 3

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game 4

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Series Notes

  • The Phillies have a 34-18 record at Citizens Bank Park in 2018.
  • The Phillies pitching staff have a collective ERA of 3.54 at home as opposed to 4.11 on the road.
  • Odubel Herrera has a .282 batting average against the Marlins this season.
  • Aaron Nola has a 1.35 ERA in 13 innings pitched against the Marlins this season.
  • Derek Dietrich and J.T. Realmuto are both tied for 12th in the league with .316 batting averages on the road.

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Tim Kelly

Tim Kelly was the Editorial Director of Phillies Nation from June 2018 through October 2024. You can follow him on social media @TimKellySports.

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