Philadelphia Phillies probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Marlins, April 18

The Philadelphia Phillies (11-8) and Miami Marlins (8-10) are set to open an Easter Weekend three-game series at Citizens Bank Park on Friday night. The NL East rivals come to town for the two teams' first meeting of the season.

The Phillies are coming off a split of their four-game series with the San Francisco Giants. They salvaged the final game 6-4 on Thursday, thanks to a career game from lefty starter Cristopher Sánchez. He struck out 12 Giants over seven innings, 11 times using his deadly changeup.

The Marlins come into Philadelphia on a three-game losing streak after being swept at home by the Arizona Diamondbacks. They sit 3.5 games back of the division leading New York Mets, with a -18 run differential. The Phillies, who won the season series 7-6 in 2024, start the day one game out of first, with 80 runs scored and 82 runs against.

Philadelphia Phillies injury updates

The struggling Brandon Marsh will miss another day nursing a sore knee that he tweaked on a play in center field during Wednesday's loss.
Right fielder Nick Castellanos is back in the lineup after exiting yesterday with left hip flexor tightness.

Phillies vs. Marlins probable pitchers, April 18

Zack Wheeler (1-1, 4.07 ERA) will open the series for the Phillies. The veteran right-hander has had two uncharacteristic starts in a row, allowing nine earned runs in 11 1/3 innings. Last season, Wheeler went 1-0 in three starts against the Marlins, but had one of his worst outings against them when he gave up six runs through four innings on May 12.

Sandy Alcantara (2-0, 4.70 ERA) will climb the mound for the Marlins. The 29-year-old right-hander will make his third start of the year after missing all of 2024 with Tommy John surgery. He gave up four runs on five hits while striking out one over 5 2/3 innings in his last start against the Washington Nationals, but picked up the win.