MLB's new schedule pits every team against the other 29 for at least one series a season. As a result, the Miami Marlins (10-9) and Cleveland Guardians (10-9) will lock horns for the first time since 2019, when they split four games. Fans knew Cleveland by a different name back then, although there are still some familiar faces. This year's edition will see Progressive Field play host, so the Marlins will be in Ohio for the weekend. The first pitch of this series is set for 7:10 p.m. EST on Friday, although there's a chance for precipitation to shake things up.
Through 19 games, the Miami Marlins scored 59 total runs. They are tied with the Kansas City Royals for the fewest runs per game in the majors right now. Their attempted offensive revamp has produced impressive individual results. Luis Arraez is batting .438 with only four strikeouts, Jazz Chisholm has three homers and six stolen bases, Jorge Soler is sixth in the league with a .633 slugging percentage, and Garrett Cooper is hitting .313 with 10 RBIs to match Soler for the team lead. Collectively though, it's gone as poorly as possible through three weeks of the season.
Their pitching is what has kept them above .500 despite their -26 run differential. They haven't been spectacular in any one area, but Miami's pitchers have been solid at everything. Their bullpen is a bit weaker than the rotation, ranking 25th in FIP and 24th in WAR. Miami's starting staff is 12th in WAR.
Shuttin g down San Francisco's offense is how they took two of three from them during the week, although they lost the series finale on Wednesday. Through nine innings, the Marlins pitchers had done it again, limiting the Giants to one run. However, Miami only scored one run of their own, leading to extra innings. Miami coughed up a pair of two-run jacks in the 10th, ultimately falling 5-2.
Braxton Garrett has to be praying for run support when he takes the mound in this one. Garrett has made three appearances this season, two starts, and tossed 13.1 innings total. In that time he's allowed 19 hits, but only one homer, two walks, and five runs. His two latest appearances were both starts he didn't allow more than two runs in either. He recorded 12 strikeouts in those games, both Miami wins.