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.
National League Wild Card Series Game 1
Tuesday, October 3
8 pm (EST) on ESPNZack Wheeler has been the ace of the staff for most of his four seasons in Philadelphia. He heated up down the stretch in 2023, and he’ll look to regain the form that helped the Phillies advance to the 2022 World Series.
National League Wild Card Series Game 2
Wednesday, October 4
8 pm (EST) on ESPNAaron Nola doesn’t know when his last start in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform will be after spending the entirety of his nine MLB seasons as a major part of the organization’s eventual reentrance into contention. He had a rocky season in 2023, but he certainly won’t want to enter free agency with a bad start at Citizens Bank Park as his most recent memory.
National League Wild Card Series Game 3 (If Necessary)
Thursday, October 5
8 pm (EST) on ESPNRanger Suarez looked so cool and collected throughout the 2022 MLB Playoffs that Phillies fans compared him to Cliff Lee. The lefty didn’t have the best statistical season, but he’s earned the right to pitch a do-or-die Game 3 if the series gets that far.
