Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Miami Marlins
There have been many ties linking the Phillies and Marlins over the last couple of weeks. We have read the rumors that have Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich coming to Philadelphia. Today, a new rumor was released linking the Phillies to Miami’s speedy second baseman, Dee Gordon. All we can say for sure is that the Phils and Marlins meet up for a three game set to wrap up this road trip.
If I told you a guy went 2-11 in a series and still had a major impact on the series, you would more than likely believe I was crazy. While Travis Shaw was not the impact guy for three days, he made one swing of the bat that cost the Phillies a shot at a series win against one of the NL’s top teams. He struck out four times, walked once, and scored twice. Too bad he had that one big swing of the bat.
Phils Grade: C+
Jimmy Nelson was as good as advertised throughout his 6.2 innings on Saturday. He accumulated nine strikeouts while walking two and allowing three hits. He left the game without a chance at a decision since the Phillies tied it late on an Odubel Herrera homer. It was his fourth consecutive start keeping the opposition under four earned runs and was enough to keep his team in line for another win.
Phils Grade: D
The Team: Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a team in flux right now. The baseball industry is having a hard time deciphering whether or not the Marlins will end up selling off assets or holding onto them before the July 31st deadline.
They are 3-4 in their last seven following a sweep at the hands of the Dodgers this weekend. The sweep dropped them to a 41-49 record, which leads them to this three game series with the Phillies.
This season, the two teams have met five times. The Phillies took the first two with the Marlins sweeping the second set at the end of the Phils dreadful month of May.
Miami currently has three hitters with at least 20 homers, and those same three have an OPS over .900 to this point. Both Gordon and Marcell Ozuna have more than 100 hits in 350 at bats, but the focus will not be on either one this week.
On the pitching end, Tom Koehler, Dan Straily, and Adam Conley will get the starts against the Phils. Only Straily has faced the Phillies this season, and the other two are looking to make a lasting impression on the Phils and get their team on the right track.
The Position Player: Christian Yelich
I am going to add fuel to the recent fire that is Christian Yelich. The centerfielder has been Philadelphia’s obsession this week. I am a big fan of the 25-year-old and have truly enjoyed watching him play the Phils every year. I have a feeling more eyes will be on Yelich this week.
This season, the California native is hitting .288/.364/.412 with eight homers and 44 RBI. While the power is down for the Miami outfielder, it is always nice to see an OBP of that level. He has walked nearly once for every two strikeouts (38 walks to 71 Ks) and swiped a perfect eight bags in eight chances.
He tends to see righties much better than he does lefties. He is slashing .258/.317/.387 against lefties and .299/.380/.422 against righties. The differences are very noticeable. Unfortunately for the Phillies, they are only putting righties out there this weekend with Jerad Eickhoff, Nick Pivetta, and (probably) Vince Velasquez toeing the rubber.
He is 4-11 with a double, homer, walk, and a strikeout against Eickhoff. He is yet to face Pivetta but has had success against Velasquez too. In twelve at bats, he has three hits, including a triple and two bombs.
In his career, Yelich has hit .294/.372/.421 with four homers, 25 RBI, and 27 runs in 54 games. Of his 63 hits against the Phils, 17 are of the extra basehit variety.
Whatever Phillies pitchers do, it is vital that they do not fall behind on Yelich. He is exceptional when ahead in the count. Even down 0-1 he has an impressive .287 average. He carries an OPS of over 1.000 on first pitches and counts of 1-0, 2-0, and 3-0.
A bull would be very attracted to Yelich’s heatmap against righties. The entire strikezone is covered in red. He lights up fastballs in the zone. However, breaking balls toward his backfoot have been an Achilles heel. Yelich will go out and get offspeed and breaking balls on the outer half.
There is no doubt that all eyes will be on Yelich this week as trade rumors heat up and the Phillies continue to look at ways to improve.
The Pitcher: Dan Straily
With this series presenting the Phillies with Koehler and Conley, I had a difficult time taking either of them seriously as roadblocks. I have already focused an article on Straily and will use him again since the other two have had horrendous 2017 seasons to this juncture.
The Phils faced Straily back on May 31st in Miami and he had his way with them for 6.2 innings. The righty allowed nine hits and a walk, but set down ten on strikes, the most he has had in a single game this season. The Phillies mustered two runs against him and only one of them was earned.
Since that start, Straily reached six innings in five out of eight starts. More impressively, he has surrendered three or less earned runs in seven of those eight starts, but has not struck out more than eight in any start showing just how putrid this Phillies offense is.
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
All of the Phillies that have faced him have at least one hit off him. Maikel Franco and Odubel Herrera have multiple hits against him, while Freddy Galvis, Cesar Hernandez, Tommy Joseph, and Andrew Knapp all have one hit. Here is a shocker: None of them have an extra basehit off the 28 year old.
His 2.43 ERA at home is something to be aware of this week. Teams are also hitting a lowly .209 against him in Miami, which does not bode well for an inconsistent Philly offense.
Straily is more of a pitch-to-contact type pitcher who uses his fastball 51% of the time and his slider 29% of the time. His changeup would be his next most used pitch, but he wants hitters to swing at the fastball and put it in play.
The Phillies did him a favor by chasing outside the zone last time and if they do it again, it will be another long day in Miami.