Gina: Walk-off. Bases loaded. Ninth inning. Javier Sanoja. That's how you start a series, and tonight the Marlins get a chance to do it all over again.
Wes: That was a big one, Gina. And we're back for the series finale preview, but first, let's set the table.
Gina: Welcome back to Beatline, Marlins fans! I'm your host Gina, and as always, I'm joined by the sharpest baseball mind in the podcast game, Wes. We're coming off a thriller last night, and tonight we're looking at game two of this three-game set against the Nationals.
Wes: And we've got a lot to unpack. We'll break down the pitching matchup, the key hitters to watch, and what the Fish need to do to lock up this series.
Gina: Plus, we'll check in on the injury report and my bold prediction for tonight. Stick with us, because this is going to be a good one.
Gina: Alright, Wes, let's start with the big picture. The Marlins took game one in dramatic fashion, but the series is far from over. What's the vibe heading into tonight?
Wes: The vibe is confident, but not overconfident. They got the win, but they know the Nationals are a scrappy bunch. They're 61-69, fourth in the NL East, but they've been playing better lately. This is a series they need to win to keep pace in the division.
Gina: And the Marlins are sitting at 65-64, third in the NL East. Every game matters now. Let's talk about the pitching matchup. Who do we see on the mound tonight?
Wes: Well, we don't have the official announcement yet, but we can look at the rotation. Sandy Alcantara threw yesterday, and he was dealing. He went seven shutout innings, just like we predicted on the last show. So he's out. Eury Perez is lined up for tonight, and that's a guy who can be electric when he's on.
Gina: Eury Perez, the big right-hander. He's had his ups and downs this year, but when he's commanding his fastball, he's tough to hit. What do you expect from him tonight?
Wes: I expect him to attack the zone early. The Nationals have some aggressive hitters, so if he can get ahead in counts, he'll be in good shape. The key for Eury is limiting the walks and keeping the ball in the park. He's got the stuff to dominate, but he needs to trust his defense behind him.
Gina: And on the other side, who are we looking at for Washington? They haven't announced a starter yet either, but their rotation is a little banged up. They've got Josiah Gray on the 60-day IL, so they're piecing things together.
Wes: Right, that's a big loss for them. They'll probably go with a bullpen game or a spot starter. That's a huge advantage for the Marlins. If they can get to the pen early, they should be able to put up some runs.
Gina: That's what we're hoping for. We said before the series that the Marlins would score at least five runs in the opener. They only got three, but they got the win. So we're not complaining. But tonight, I'd love to see the offense break out.
Wes: Absolutely. And that starts with the top of the order. Xavier Edwards has been setting the table well, and Otto Lopez has been driving in runs. They need to keep that going.
Gina: Let's talk about the lineup a little more. Who are the key hitters to watch tonight? I'm thinking Javier Sanoja is going to be feeling himself after that walk-off.
Wes: No doubt. Sanoja's confidence has to be sky-high. He's a contact guy, doesn't strike out much, and he came through in the clutch. I'd look for him to be aggressive early in counts. Also, keep an eye on Griffin Conine. He's got power, and if he gets a pitch to drive, he can change the game in one swing.
Gina: And what about the middle of the order? We've got Agustin Ramirez behind the plate, and he's been solid all year. We need him to keep producing.
Wes: Ramirez has been a pleasant surprise. He's got a good approach, and he's been driving in runs. The Marlins need that from the catcher spot. And if they can get production from the bottom of the lineup, they're going to be tough to beat.
Gina: Alright, let's take a quick break. When we come back, we'll dive into the bullpen, the injuries, and what the Marlins need to do to secure this series. Stick with us.
Gina: Welcome back. We're talking Marlins baseball, and we've got a lot to cover. Wes, let's start with the bullpen. It was a bit shaky early in the year, but they've been solid lately. Who are the key arms out there?
Wes: The bullpen has been a pleasant surprise. Calvin Faucher has been locked in as the closer, and he's got that wipeout slider. Pete Fairbanks has been a nice addition, and Victor Vodnik has been throwing gas. The key is getting the ball to those guys with a lead.
Gina: And they'll need to be sharp tonight, because the Nationals have some dangerous hitters. Let's talk about their lineup. They've got CJ Abrams, who's day-to-day with an injury, and they're missing James Wood, who's on the IL. That's a big blow to their offense.
Wes: It is. James Wood is a young stud, and losing him hurts. But they still have Abrams, and he's a threat every time he steps in the box. The Marlins need to be careful with him. Also, watch out for their catcher, Drew Millas, but he's on the IL too. So their lineup is a bit depleted.
Gina: That's an advantage for the Marlins. But we've seen teams with depleted lineups step up before. The Marlins need to stay focused. Let's talk about the Marlins' own injury situation. We've got a few guys on the IL that we need to keep an eye on.
Wes: Yeah, Anthony Bender is on the 15-day IL, and Max Meyer is on the 15-day too. Those are two key arms. And Kyle Stowers is on the 10-day, which hurts the outfield depth. But the good news is, the guys who are healthy are stepping up.
Gina: And we've got some young guys getting opportunities. Jakob Marsee has been playing well in center field, and Esteury Ruiz has been providing a spark. It's good to see them contributing.
Wes: Absolutely. The depth of this organization is showing. They've had injuries, but they keep finding ways to win. That's a sign of a good team, and it's a credit to the front office for building depth.
Gina: Let's talk about the ABS challenge system. I know we mentioned it last week, and it's been a big storyline this season. How do you think it's affecting the game?
Wes: It's an interesting addition. It's adding a new layer of strategy, and it's been a talking point around the league. The Marlins have been using it effectively, and it's helped them win some close games. It's something to keep an eye on, especially in tight situations.
Gina: Alright, let's get back to the series. The Marlins have a chance to take a commanding 2-0 lead tonight. What are the keys to the game?
Gina: We're back for our final segment, and we're talking about the keys to this series. Wes, what does Miami need to do to come away with the win tonight?
Wes: It's simple: get ahead early and put pressure on their bullpen. The Nationals are going to be shorthanded on the mound, so the Marlins need to be patient at the plate and work counts. If they can get to their bullpen in the fifth or sixth inning, they'll have a great chance.
Gina: And on defense, they need to make the routine plays. The Nationals are going to try to manufacture runs, so the Marlins need to be sharp in the field. No free bases, no extra outs.
Wes: Exactly. And the bullpen needs to be ready from the first pitch. If Eury can give them six strong innings, they can turn it over to the back end and feel good about it.
Gina: Alright, it's time for my bold prediction for tonight. Last time, I said Sandy throws seven shutout innings, and he did. This time, I'm going to say... the Marlins score six runs and win by three. What do you think, Wes?
Wes: I like it. I think the offense is due for a breakout. I'll say Eury goes six, gives up two, and the bullpen shuts the door. Marlins win 6-2. That's my prediction.
Gina: I'll take that. Alright, that's a wrap for today's show. Thanks for joining us on Beatline. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast app. And share this episode with a fellow Marlins fan.
Wes: And as always, stay tuned for more coverage. We'll be back tomorrow to recap tonight's game and look ahead to the series finale. Let's go Fish!