The Philadelphia Phillies, who are the NL champions, aim to swiftly defeat the emerging Marlins in the NL Wild Card Series.

“I cannot reword”

The manager in his second year then directed his bottle towards catcher J.T. Realmuto and inquired, “How many additional victories in the playoffs… “

Realmuto interrupted him and exclaimed, “We still have 13 victories remaining!” as he drenched Thomson in alcohol.

The countdowns after each clinch started last season — from the National League Wild Card Series through the NL Championship Series — but stalled in the World Series. The Phillies won 11 postseason games, two shy of the ultimate goal and their first World Series title since 2008.

The Phillies have returned after a year, with a strong determination to complete the task at hand. Their confidence has been elevated by their close effort in a loss to Houston in the World Series. Additionally, they have a lineup and pitching staff that they believe are more extensive compared to the previous year.

Led by Kyle Schwarber, who hit 47 home runs, a total of six players achieved at least 20 home runs. The top three starting pitchers collectively won 40 games.

All the people in Philadelphia are in agreement. Joel Embiid, the star player of the Philadelphia 76ers, sported a “Red October” beanie during the team’s media day on Monday, while the Phillies attracted over 3 million fans for the first time in ten years.

“I believe our position players are well-rested, yet still mentally alert,” Thomson expressed during Monday’s practice session. “We are in a favorable situation.”

The Marlins have arrived in Philadelphia for a Wild Card Series consisting of three games, aiming to disrupt the positive atmosphere.

The Phillies will send Zack Wheeler (13-6, 3.61 ERA) to the mound Tuesday night in Game 1 and Aaron Nola (12-9, 4.46) in Game 2. The Marlins have Jesús Luzardo (10-9, 3.63 ERA) on the bump for the opener and Braxton Garrett (9-7, 3.66) in Game 2.

Miami’s payroll is puny compared to lavish spenders from New York to San Diego that are sitting out this postseason. But the Marlins’ drive is as strong as their ability to eek out the close ones. Miami finished a remarkable 33-13 in one-run games, the best winning percentage (.718) in the National League since 1980.

As a result, the Marlins have made it to the playoffs on only four occasions throughout their 31-year existence.

The Marlins had a 7-6 record against the Phillies this season, winning 4 out of 6 games at Citizens Bank Park. These numbers demonstrate that the Marlins have the potential to win a series in October. The Phillies are aware that it is possible, as they themselves won two games in St. Louis during last year’s Wild Card round.

“I believe this team is accustomed to dealing with anticipations,” Realmuto expressed. “It’s a common occurrence when playing in Philadelphia. The successful streak we had last year will undoubtedly raise the level of expectation, resulting in added pressure that we must handle. However, given our confidence, playing under a bit more pressure won’t be an issue.”

FEELING FINE

In April at Philadelphia, Luis Arraez achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Marlins player to hit for the cycle. He had an impressive performance, going 4 for 5 with a home run, scoring two runs, and driving in two RBIs.

The continuous stream of successes continued.

Arraez took the NL batting title at .354, a year after winning the AL crown at .316 for Minnesota. He did not start any of Miami’s last seven regular-season games because of a sprained left ankle. But he was expected to play in Game 1.

Manager Skip Schumaker stated that it would require a significant reason for him to not include him in the lineup.

HOMETOWN KID

Luzardo, who was brought up in South Florida, became a fan of Marlins players like Juan Pierre and Miguel Cabrera during his childhood. At the age of 6, he had the opportunity to attend Game 3 of the 2003 World Series, which resulted in a 6-1 victory for the New York Yankees. Despite the Marlins ultimately winning the Series and securing their last championship, Luzardo remained a loyal supporter, even during the challenging seasons that ensued.

The Marlins’ new acquisition, a left-handed player, was extremely excited about being traded to the team before the 2021 season. Even now, at 26 years old, he finds it hard to believe that he has been chosen to start Game 1 for Miami.

“I cannot put into words the feeling of being in this position,” he expressed. “I haven’t fully grasped it yet, but I hope to in the future. For now, I am simply savoring the experience and aiming to prolong it as much as I can.”

Luzardo is 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA and 37 strikeouts in five career appearances against the Phillies. He went 2-0 against them this season and allowed five runs in 12 1/3 innings over two starts.

Luzardo gained valuable postseason experience by starting two games for Oakland in 2020. However, he acknowledges the need to control his emotions as he prepares to pitch for his hometown team, which relies on him to perform well throughout the playoffs.

“I believe that each of us has experience playing in significant matches,” he expressed. “The key is to separate our emotions and thoughts from the game. Our main objective should be to concentrate solely on the current game.”

FAMILIAR FEELING

If the Marlins require advice on winning a playoff game in Philadelphia, known for its energetic and boisterous baseball atmosphere, they can simply consult their manager.

In the 2011 NL Division Series, Schumaker was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals team that witnessed Chris Carpenter’s impressive performance. Carpenter pitched a 1-0 shutout in Game 5, leading the Cardinals to victory against Roy Halladay and the 102-win Phillies.

Rafael Furcal started the game with a triple against Halladay and crossed home plate on Schumaker’s double. Schumaker faced a difficult situation with an 0-2 count but managed to stay in the game by fouling off five pitches. Eventually, on the 10th pitch, he hit a double.

“He possessed an abundance of formidable weapons that posed a serious threat to your survival,” he remarked. “Fortunately, luck was on my side when he made a mistake by throwing a curveball.”

Schumaker, who made a rare start in center field in Game 5, called it the at-bat of his career and the “best game I’ve ever been a part of.” That includes all the World Series games played when St. Louis won it all in 2006 and 2011.

“I frequently watch that game, not because I made the double, but because it was played exceptionally well,” he expressed. “It is a moment that will remain etched in my memory forever.”

Schumaker believes that the lessons learned in that series can still be applied to the Marlins, even after a span of 12 years.

“I believe the main takeaway is to simply seize the opportunity and give it your all,” he expressed. “Our only desire was to have a possibility. And now we have it. We possess the capability to participate in the postseason. We are now part of the tournament and have a chance. That’s the most one can hope for.”