That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Marlins hoping top pitching prospect will dominate Phillies in key series

By Gabrielle Starr

JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Max Meyer #63 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch in the third inning against the New York Mets in the Spring Training game at Roger Dean Stadium on March 21, 2022 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Max Meyer #63 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch in the third inning against the New York Mets in the Spring Training game at Roger Dean Stadium on March 21, 2022 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Marlins call up top pitching prospect Max Meyer to face Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are hoping to curtail a four-game losing skid this weekend, but the Miami Marlins are pulling out all the stops to make sure that won’t happen.

After dropping the second half of a four-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals and getting mini-swept by the Toronto Blue Jays in their visit up north, the Phillies are spending the weekend in the 305 for a trio of games against their division rivals.

This series is crucial for both teams, as they’re each vying for one of the three National League Wild Card spots. The Phillies held one last week, but fell half a game out of the third berth, while the surging Marlins are three games out.

The Phillies are 3-4 against the Marlins this season, outscored 32-39 in the season series thus far. The Marlins are hoping their top pitching prospect Max Meyer can hold the Phillies down.

According to MLB.com, Meyer will start for the Marlins on Saturday. The third-overall pick in the 2020 draft, he’s skyrocketed through their system. It’s especially impressive considering the 2020 minor-league season was canceled and the righty began his 2021 season in Double-A Pensacola. Bye the end of the season, he’d been promoted to Triple-A Jacksonville.

Over 12 starts in Jacksonville this year, Meyer posted a 3.72 ERA and struck out 65 batters in 58 innings. People describe his slider as “electric.”

Now 23 years old, Meyer will debut in the comfort of home, a place where the Phillies struggle. As a team, they’re hitting .243/.303/.409 with a .712 OPS against RHP this season. Over four games at lonaDepot Park this year, they’re slashing .271/.340/.414 a .754 OPS, striking out (31) almost as much as they hit (38), and only drawing 12 walks.

As if the prospect of facing NL Cy Young frontrunner Sandy Alcantara in the series opener wasn’t scary enough, the Phillies now have to contend with a complete unknown in Meyer. Buckle up, Phillies fans.

Home/Phillies News