The Miami Marlins are set to face off against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 18, 2025, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET. This matchup features two teams in the National League East, with the Marlins currently holding an 8-10 record while the Phillies are slightly ahead at 11-8.
On the mound for the Phillies will be Zack Wheeler, who is looking to improve his season record to 2-1. Wheeler has had a mixed start to the season, posting a 4.07 ERA over 24 1/3 innings pitched, with a notable 28 strikeouts. His most recent outing was against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 13, where he pitched six innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits. Wheeler has been consistent in his ability to pitch deep into games, averaging six innings per appearance and aiming for his fifth consecutive outing of at least five innings.
The Marlins will counter with Sandy Alcantara, who boasts an undefeated record of 2-0 this season. Alcantara comes into this game with a 4.70 ERA, having pitched 5 2/3 innings in his last start against the Washington Nationals on April 12, where he also allowed four earned runs on five hits. Alcantara's strikeout rate stands at 7 strikeouts per nine innings, but he has also struggled with walks, averaging 4.7 walks per nine innings across three games.
Both teams are looking to capitalize on their recent performances. The Phillies are coming off a 6-4 victory against the San Francisco Giants, where J.T. Realmuto and Bryce Harper both contributed significantly with home runs. Realmuto, who had been struggling earlier in the season, found his rhythm with two hits and two RBIs in that game. Meanwhile, Kyle Schwarber continues to lead the Phillies with six home runs and 14 RBIs this season, showcasing his power at the plate.
On the other side, the Marlins are seeking to bounce back after a tough loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, where they fell 6-4. In that game, Rob Brantley stood out with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, but it wasn't enough to secure the win. The Marlins will be looking to their hitters, including Jesus Sanchez, who has shown success against Wheeler in the past, going 7-for-19 in his career against him.
The matchup promises to be intriguing not just because of the starting pitchers but also due to the individual performances of key players. For the Phillies, Nicholas Castellanos leads the team with a .304 batting average, while Bryson Stott has been consistent, hitting .271 with three doubles and a home run this season. The Marlins, led by Xavier Edwards with a club-best .333 batting average, will need to step up against a tough Phillies pitching staff.
As the game approaches, betting odds have the Phillies favored at -1.5, reflecting their stronger record and home-field advantage. The predicted score for the contest is a close 5-4 in favor of the Phillies, with a total runs prediction set at over 7.5. The win probabilities are slightly leaning towards the Phillies at 55%, compared to 45% for the Marlins.
Fans can catch the game live on NBC Sports Philadelphia and FDSFL, or stream it via fuboTV and Peacock. This will be the first game in a three-game series between these two teams, and both will be eager to gain early momentum.
With the stakes high and both teams looking to solidify their standings in the NL East, this matchup is sure to deliver excitement for fans and bettors alike. Keep an eye on Wheeler's performance as he aims to regain form against a Marlins lineup that has shown flashes of potential, and watch for Alcantara to prove himself against a potent Phillies offense.
