Phillies have an opportunity to jump to 2 games above .500 with two games against the Marlins today

The Philadelphia Phillies took a 2-0 lead into the ninth inning yesterday against the Miami Marlins. It was an opportunity to move one game above .500 after splitting Friday’s double header. The NL East leading New York Mets have lost three straight games to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ranger Suarez was on the mound in the ninth inning yesterday and blew a two run lead. Suarez blew his first save as a closer and the game was then suspended due to rain. Today, the Phillies will resume yesterday’s game at 1:05pm and then 30 minutes later, play Sunday’s game, in which Zack Wheeler will be on the mound.

Tonight's game has been suspended: pic.twitter.com/bIwEOvQfko

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 18, 2021

Suarez allowed a leadoff single to Starling Marte and a game-tying two run home run to Jesus Aguilar in the ninth. The Phillies have now blown 23 saves this season. In 2004, they blew a franchise record of 25 saves. Unless something drastically changes, it looks like the 2021 Phillies will be headed to the franchise record books for all the wrong reasons.

Vincent Velasquez pitched five scoreless innings. Against the Marlins this season, Velasquez is now 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in three starts. He has struck out 16 batters in 18 innings against the Marlins. Both Hector Neris and Archie Bradley pitched well in relief. At the plate, things were slow, but Andrew McCutchen hit a sacrifice fly in the first and Rhys Hoskins doubled to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead.

Looking ahead, the Phillies have an opportunity to go TWO games above .500 today. The Mets will play Pittsburgh yet again today at 1:05pm. The Pirates are in last place in the NL Central but are now 7-3 in their last 10 games. They have beaten the Mets three games in a row.

Things could be very interesting by this evening but first, the Phillies need to beat the Marlins in extras and then have Zack Wheeler shut them down in a game shortly after.

RING IT.

Mandatory Credit: The Philadelphia Phillies