Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Miami Marlins
Position Player: Marcell Ozuna
This time around, I will go with the other Marlin outfielder, Marcell Ozuna. I spent the last series with ole’ faithful, Giancarlo Stanton, but Ozuna has put together quite a season as we get ready to leave the month of May.
He leads the team in multiple categories and gets better and better every year. His .313 average, 35 RBI, .385 OBP, 57 hits, .940 OPS, and 22 walks are all the best on the team. The right hander’s twelve homers are good enough for second on the team. This season, he is a .358 hitter at home with eight home runs. Over his last seven games, Ozuna is 7-21 with two doubles and a homer.
More from That Balls Outta Here
- Prospect Andrew Baker could help Phillies bullpen in 2023
- Bryce Harper’s absence should lead to Phillies lineup tinkering
- Phillies rumors: Club targets Seth Lugo for possible bullpen role
- Pirates’ bizarre Vince Velasquez hype video will make Phillies fans laugh
- Acquiring Brandon Marsh gave the Phillies flexibility
In 61 career games against the Phils, he has hit .300/.344/.463 with seven homers and 29 RBI. This year (including the current game), the Phils have held him in check. He is currently 0-11 against the Phillies in 2017. However, I do not expect that to last throughout the course of this long season.
Right now, there is no point in even wasting time throwing him a fastball unless it is purposely thrown out of the zone. He is just lighting up fastballs that find any part of the plate. Breaking balls are the way to go with Ozuna right now. Anything that moves or changes speeds are the pitches the 26-year-old is having trouble figuring out right now.
The Phils are hoping to keep the 2017 success against Ozuna going while grabbing a couple wins in South Beach.