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The NL Wild Card Series schedule is finally out. The Philadelphia Phillies will face the Miami Marlins in a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park this week.
The Phillies clinched the fourth seed in the National League one week before their first playoff game. However, the city of Philadelphia waited five long days for the NL Wild Card Series schedule.
The wait is over, and Red October officially begins on Tuesday, October 3.
Phillies Own Home-Field Advantage
The Phillies earned the top NL Wild Card seed with a final record of 90-72.
The defending National League champions caught fire in Red October one year ago during a miracle run to the 2022 World Series. Philadelphia caught the Phillies fever that hadn’t truly existed since 2011.
Larry Bowa spoke on 97.5 The Fanatic about how the fans at Citizens Bank Park create a hostile environment usually reserved for other sports.
“I never was an advocate of home field advantage being important in baseball, but I think it’s a little bit different when you come here. It’s a little intimidating, and if you don’t get things going well for you right away, the wheels can spin off, and before you know it, the game’s over.” -Larry Bowa
That’s right, Philadelphia. YOU are one of the biggest advantages this team has in the MLB Playoffs.
Miami Marlins
The pesky Marlins will never spend as much money on their payroll as the Phillies or any other major market team. However, they’ve given the Phillies problems recently and historically.
Philadelphia fans will never forget the infamous Wild Card chase of 2003 when Jeff Conine terrorized the Phillies with a performance that would’ve made you think a journeyman outfielder had a Hall of Fame career. The Phillies later sat home and watched Josh Beckett carry the Marlins to their second World Series in seven seasons.
The Fish also kept a more talented Phillies team out of the 2020 MLB Playoffs, and they’ve given them fits the past three seasons.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Luis Arraez have helped the Marlins back into contention as they enter their prime ages. Jorge Soler also provides a legitimate offensive threat for the visitors. Soler belted 36 home runs in 2023.
The Marlins have lost Sandy Alcántarahe for the season. Without the 2022 NL Cy Young winner, they’ll likely use Jesus Luzardo and Braxton Garrett as their starters in Games 1 and 2.
Pat is Philly through and through, having grown up in the Oxford Circle of Northeast Philadelphia. He attended Cardinal Dougherty High School, and it was at CD that a teacher suggested he should pursue a career in sports radio. He worked his way up the ranks and joined the morning show in June of 2020. As a content creator for 97.5 The Fanatic he writes about Eagles, Sixers, Phillies and Flyers. Follow Pat on Twitter @Pat_Egan
