Game 25 of 162: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins

Image credit @underdoggraphix

Game 25 of 162: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins

The Marlins are ready to start a 4-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies. This will be the second and final stop on this short road trip. The first stop was Cleveland, where the Marlins didn’t lose the series for the second series in a row. Does that make sense? Two series ago, the Marlins won 2 out of 3 and won their first series of the year. In Cleveland, both the Marlins and Indians won 1 game. This was just a quick 2-game series. As far as this 4-game set, the Marlins are looking to win their second straight division series. Let’s take a look at game 25 of the season.

Game 25

Pitching Match-up: Aaron Nola vs. Caleb Smith

Game Time: 7:05 PM

Location: Citizens Bank Park

Aaron Nola finished top-3 in the National League Cy Young voting last season. However, 2019 has not been as good to Nola. Although Nola is 2-0 on the season, his ERA is 6.84. Nola’s numbers are strange. In 25 innings; Nola has struck out 28, walked 12, given up 7 home runs, and given up 30 hits. This will be Nola’s 6th start of the season, and I’ve actually watched all 5 of his other starts. Just simply looking at the numbers, it’s unclear how he is 2-0 on the year.

Caleb Smith is a guy that I should be discussing more. Through 4 starts this season, Smith is 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 29 strikeouts and a 0.87 WHIP. Smith has thrown 23 innings and walked just 6 batters. Smith has been able to do what I believe is Sandy Alcantara’s biggest flaw, fill up the strike zone. It’s clear that Smith has the ability to get the swing and miss.

My prediction

I don’t even know why I keep giving you guys a prediction. Every time I pick the Marlins to win a game, they lose. Every time I take the other team, I feel like an angry Marlins writer. With that, I’m taking the Phillies to win this game. They are coming off of a tough road trip, but they erupted for 5 combined runs in the 8th and 9th inning yesterday. The Phillies are pissed off because their roster is better than the way they are playing. I expect Nola to have his best start of the season.