Phillies want to save series tie against Marlins

The Miami Marlins are on the verge of winning a four-game series against the top team in the major leagues, but to accomplish that task they must overcome one of their biggest weaknesses.

The Marlins have struggled with left-handed starters all season and will face one of the MLB’s best players in Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the host Philadelphia Phillies.

Miami has won two of the first three games of the series, but will be challenged by Philadelphia’s Ranger Suarez (10-2, 1.83 ERA), who leads the majors in ERA. The Marlins are 4-25 this season when facing left-handed starters.

In his last start on Tuesday, Suarez allowed four runs (two earned) in six innings in a 4-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

Josh Bell has hit 2 of 14 home runs against Suarez, who has a 5-2 record and a 2.89 ERA in 19 career games (eight starts) against Miami.

The Marlins will counter with right-hander Yonny Chirinos (0-0, 2.70), who has made two encouraging starts since being recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville.

Chirinos, 30, received a no-decision after allowing one run on three hits in five innings against the Kansas City Royals last Tuesday.

“He’s got an interesting mix,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He’s got a sinker that he throws to the top of the zone; he can get it under the barrel. He’s got the slider and the split. He’s a demanding pitcher.”

Chirinos will make his first career start (second appearance) against Philadelphia. He allowed three runs in 2 2/3 innings as a relief pitcher while pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays on July 5, 2023.

Miami has the upper hand after Nick Gordon hit a home run and Jazz Chisholm Jr. delivered a key RBI single in the seventh inning of Saturday’s 3-2 victory. Four Miami relief pitchers combined to throw 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

“This is obviously great for our team and our confidence,” said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker. “We have a chance to win a series.”

The Phillies have scored a total of four runs in their last two games without injured stars Bryce Harper (hamstring strain) and Kyle Schwarber (groin strain). Catcher JT Realmuto is also out after surgery on his right knee.

“I think Schwarber and Harper have a chance — a good chance — to be back before the All-Star break,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said of the two, who are on the 10-day injured list. “But we want to make sure they’re fully recovered.”

Realmuto hopes to return in mid-July for Philadelphia, which has hit 1 of 15 with runners in scoring position in its last two games.

“I think sometimes guys try a little harder in situations like that,” Philadelphia shortstop Trea Turner said after Saturday’s game. “I know that was probably the case for me today. I just tried too hard and missed some good throws and then started chasing after them. It’s really easy to look at it from a distance, but then when you’re out there, it’s hard not to try a little harder.”

The Phillies are hoping for a new dynamic in center fielder Johan Rojas, who has started both games since being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Rojas earned his second start with Philadelphia this season after going 13-for-34 (.382) with one home run and six stolen bases in eight games with Lehigh Valley.

–Field level media