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Marlins’ plan to unleash top pitching prospect against Phillies backfires

By Gabrielle Starr

Jul 16, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Max Meyer (23) delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 16, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Max Meyer (23) delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies dominate Marlins top pitching prospect Max Meyer

Philadelphia Phillies fans were nervous when news broke Friday that the Miami Marlins were calling up top pitching prospect Max Meyer to start the second contest of this weekend’s three-game set.

The third-overall pick in the 2020 draft, Meyer came into his MLB debut with a 3.72 ERA over 12 Triple-A starts this year.

Unfortunately for him, the Phillies came into this series with most of their biggest bats ready to rebound from a rough week in St. Louis and Toronto. And after beating Cy Young contender Sandy Alcantara on Friday night, they had a bit of momentum on their side.

Over 5 1/3 innings in his debut on Saturday, Meyer allowed five earned runs to the Phillies. He gave up doubles to Nick Castellanos, Bryson Stott, and J.T. Realmuto. In the top of the fourth, Realmuto broke up the scoreless game with a two-run homer, and Rhys Hoskins followed with a solo shot in the sixth. After Hoskins’ homer, Meyer walked Castellanos and gave up the aforementioned double to Realmuto before Marlins manager Don Mattingly pulled him for Richard Bleier.

Meyers’ trouble didn’t end there, though, as he was still responsible for the men on base. Bleier struck out Stott, intentionally walked Alec Bohm, and then gave up a two-run single to Didi Gregorius, which scored Castellanos and Realmuto.

Five earned runs for Meyer.

It wasn’t the start the Marlins were hoping to get from their top pitching prospect, but it’s a huge game for the Phillies. They came into this series half a game out of the third National League Wild Card spot, and despite winning on Friday night, are now a full game back due to the success of the teams ahead of them: the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Still, stopping their losing streak at four games, taking down Alcantara and Meyer, and evening the seasons series with their division rivals is exactly the kind of wave the Phillies need to ride into the All-Star break.

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