Gina: Griffin Conine drove in Esteury Ruiz with a tiebreaking single in Miami's six-run 12th inning, and the Marlins stymied Chicago's push for an NL wild card with an 8-2 victory over the Cubs on Tuesday night. That is not just a win; that is a statement.
Wes: It’s a massive swing-and-miss moment for the Cubs’ playoff hopes, but we aren’t done yet. The series isn’t over until the final out, and the Marlins are still here to fight.
Gina: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Gina, your lead host, and this is the daily show where we break down everything Miami Marlins. I’m joined by analyst Wes, who has been tracking every pitch of this grind. We’ve got three things coming up: first, we’ll look at the pitching matchup for tonight’s finale. Second, we’ll dive into how the bullpen handled the marathon yesterday and what that means for today. And third, we’ll talk about the silver linings for a team that’s 77-80 but playing with house money.
Wes: Exactly. It’s 77-80, they’re third in the NL East, but you can feel the energy shift when a team stops playing for stats and starts playing for pride. Tonight, it’s all about finishing off the Cubs.
Gina: Let’s get right into it. Segment one: The series and the pitching probables. Yesterday was a classic extra-innings thriller. What do you think went right for Miami in that sixth-run 12th?
Wes: Well, Gina, it came down to timing. Griffin Conine’s single wasn’t just a hit; it was a product of plate discipline. He waited for the right pitch in a high-leverage spot. Esteury Ruiz being on base meant there was no margin for error, and Conine delivered. It showed me that even with the injuries, the lineup has clutch DNA.
Gina: Right? And remember, we talked about Eury Perez earlier in the week, and he definitely held the line early enough to let that offense wake up. But now we have tonight. Who is starting for Miami in Game Three?
Wes: With Max Meyer on the 15-Day IL and Gavin Hollowell also on the 15-Day IL, the rotation is stretched. I’m expecting Ryan Gusto or Janson Junk to take the mound. Given the urgency, I’d lean toward Gusto getting the nod to try and eat innings, but the bullpen will be heavily utilized regardless.
Gina: And the Cubs? They’re 87-69, second in the NL Central. They need every win to keep their wild card chances alive. This isn’t just a tune-up game for them.
Wes: Correct. The Cubs are desperate. Justin Steele is on the 60-Day IL, Phil Maton is on the 60-Day IL, and Hunter Harvey is on the 60-Day IL. Their own bullpen is decimated. This sets up a weird dynamic where both teams are missing key arms, but Miami has the momentum from yesterday.
Gina: So if Miami can contain the Cubs’ middle order early, they might not even need to go deep into their depleted relief corps. Let’s stick with us after this quick word from our supporters.
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Wes: Thanks, Gina. Now, let’s talk about those bullpen questions. Yesterday was a marathon. Who did you see holding it down for Miami?
Gina: I saw a lot of trust in the younger arms. With Anthony Bender on the 15-Day IL and Ronny Henriquez on the 60-Day IL, they had to turn to guys like Bradley Blalock, Josh Ekness, and Calvin Faucher. Did any of them stand out?
Wes: Bradley Blalock was crucial. He kept the velocity up in the later innings. When you’re missing Phil Maton and Tyler Austin on the 60-Day IL, you can’t afford to lose innings to fatigue. Blalock’s ability to miss bats was vital. Also, Cade Gibson looked sharp in his appearance.
Gina: That’s huge. Because if you blow the lead in the 12th, you’ve wasted all that work. How worried should we be about the availability of Xavier Edwards? He’s listed as Day-To-Day.
Wes: Xavier Edwards being Day-To-Day is a concern for the bottom of the order. If he’s not available, it shifts the defensive positioning slightly for the infield. Jared Serna would likely fill in at second base. It’s a small detail, but in tight games, every position matters.
Gina: And Owen Caissie is on the 10-Day IL. So we’re looking at the core group: Esteury Ruiz, Griffin Conine, Heriberto Hernandez, Jakob Marsee, and Agustin Ramirez at DH. Do you think this group can sustain the offensive output against a hungry Cubs team?
Wes: They have to. The launch angle data on Conine and Ruiz suggests they can exploit gaps in the defense. If the Cubs’ pitching staff is tired from their own struggles, Miami’s lefty-heavy lineup could find success. Heriberto Hernandez has been a consistent contact hitter, which is key when you don’t have overwhelming power.
Gina: Agreed. It’s about making plays, not just swinging for the fences. Let’s move to Segment Three: Keys to the series and a bold prediction.
Wes: The key is platoon splits. The Cubs will likely start a right-hander to counter Miami’s lefty-leaning outfield. If Miami can get early outs against right-handed pitching, they put pressure on Chicago’s bullpen earlier.
Gina: I love that tactical view. So, bold prediction time. I’m going to say the Marlins win this one too. Maybe 4-3. They have the heart.
Wes: I’ll go with 5-3 Miami. I think Esteury Ruiz steals another base, adding to his value, and the bullpen holds firm again. These guys are playing for something bigger than just a record—they’re playing for respect.
Gina: There you have it. Two wins against the Cubs, proving that talent and grit can overcome injuries. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Go Fish!