The Philadelphia Phillies will open up a 4-game series tonight in Miami against the Marlins. 

Game 1: Taijuan Walker vs Edward Cabrera

Taijuan Walker (11-4, 4.06 ERA) will take the mound for the Phillies, and Edward Cabrera (5-6, 4.74 ERA) will pitch for the Marlins.

Walker was fantastic in the month of June but hasn’t been the same pitcher in July. He allowed two runs in 5.2 innings in his last start against the Orioles and allowed four earned runs to the Brewers over six innings in the start before that. 

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Edward Cabrera lasted just two innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing three earned runs and recording zero strikeouts. He faced the Phillies earlier this season, allowing two runs over five innings of work while striking out four. 

Phillies-Marlins: Series Pitching Matchups

• Taijuan Walker vs Edward Cabrera
• Ranger Suarez vs Sandy Alcantara
• Zack Wheeler vs Braxton Garrett
• Aaron Nola vs TBD 

The Dog Days of Summer

To say the very least, things haven’t been pretty for the Phillies.

After taking 2 of 3 from the Baltimore Orioles, they dropped 2 of 3 to the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend, highlighted by sloppy defense, poor base running, and questionable decision making from Rob Thomson. 

Read More: Phillies drop 2 of 3 against the Pittsburgh Pirates >>

On the season, the Phillies are 56-49 and in third place in the National League East standings, a half-game behind the Marlins and 12 behind the first place Atlanta Braves. 

The Hunt for Red October, as it’s always been, is in the National League Wild Card. 

After dropping 2 of 3 to the Pirates over the weekend, the Phillies fell to a half-game out of the final spot, tied in the loss column with the Miami Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers.

The Giants hold the top spot with a game advantage. 

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Of course, losing 2 of 3 to the Pirates sucks but at the end of the day, it’s still July before the MLB Trade Deadline and the Phillies have a favorable month ahead of them. 

Phillies Next 3 Series: 

• Miami Marlins (55-48)
• Kansas City Royals (29-75)
• Washington Nationals (43-59)

While everyone else goes into full panic mode, I’m still a firm believer that the Phillies can easily clinch a NL Wild Card spot over the final two months of the regular season. 

I don’t see the Marlins, D-Backs, Giants, or whoever else not leading their division outside of the NL Central Brewers or Reds as any type of threat. The Phillies are a much better ball club and need to start playing like it. No more boneheaded errors. It’s time to get serious.

Don’t get me wrong, the Phillies need to get their shit together. Nick Castellanos has been brutal at the plate and we all know the struggles happening with Trea Turner, JT Realmuto, and Kyle Schwarber. 

If you want to win baseball games, you need your top guys on the payroll to perform accordingly. 

11 GAMES UNDER SUBPAR OPPONENTS. 

Philadelphia Phillies at Miami Marlins – 6:40 PM – LoanDepot Park – Miami, Florida

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