Offishial News: Could you imagine the 2026 Marlins bullpen without Tyler Phillips?

[Ely Sussman]

You cannot refer to Tyler Phillips as another brilliant waiver-wire pickup. He was technically a trade acquisition. After being designated for assignment by the Philadelphia Phillies at the end of spring training, there were multiple teams interested, so the Miami Marlins had to send back cash considerations to complete the deal. But yeah, Phillips has shattered preseason expectations to stick with the Marlins throughout 2025. Initially thought to be among the weakest links on the active roster, it's now hard to envision next year's club without him.

Phillips recorded his second save of the season on Sunday, retiring the side in order without allowing a ball to leave the infield. In 43 appearances, the right-hander has posted a 3.27 ERA, 4.46 FIP and .244 BAA in 63 ⅓ innings pitched. Most notably, his ground ball rate ranks in the 91st percentile among MLB qualifiers, per Baseball Savant, and that has continued to climb as the year progresses. Coincidence or not, his performance has peaked when the stakes are highest, as reflected in his pitching staff-leading win probability added.

Working against Phillips, he rarely records strikeouts and doesn't have any minor league options left. However, outside of Ronny Henriquez and Anthony Bender, who else is clearly above him on the Marlins bullpen depth chart? Things are pretty unsettled with the prolonged absence of Andrew Nardi and concerns that both Declan Cronin and Jesús Tinoco could miss a portion of the 2026 season.

Get used to Phillips' hijinks because he is poised to stick around for a while.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville lost, 8-3. Playing in his third and probably final rehab game, Connor Norby went 2-for-4 with a home run. Zach McCambley pitched an immaculate inning in the bottom of the third. Double-A Pensacola lost, 8-1. Emaarion Boyd was hitless (0-for-15) during his first week with the Blue Wahoos. High-A Beloit won, 5-4. The Sky Carp rallied from a 4-0 deficit, capped off by Wilfredo Lara's walk-off homer.

More Marlins news and content below:

🔷 I wrote about Javier Sanoja's unique and productive rookie season. Exclusively for Fish On First SuperSubs, I did the math on a hypothetical Jakob Marsee contract extension.

🔷 Luis Castillo became the fourth and final member of the inaugural Marlins Legends Hall of Fame class to be inducted. Here is his plaque.

🔷 Later today, we are expecting an update on Janson Junk's right forearm injury. Junk has not spent any time on the major league or minor league IL since 2019.

🔷 With five weeks to go in the MLB regular season, Xavier Edwards (.291) has dipped to sixth place in the National League batting title race.

🔷 The Marlins were 28th in Awful Announcing's crowdsourced rankings of local MLB television broadcasts. As somebody who has sampled every team's local broadcast at various points this season, I would've expected Kyle Sielaff, Tommy Hutton and Co. to place slightly higher.

🔷 Marlins pitching coach Daniel Moskos spoke with David Laurila of FanGraphs about the process of outfitting Ryan Gusto with a kick change.

🔷 The Prediction Time leaderboard has been updated through the first 42 series. Become a SuperSub and we'll keep track of your predictions all season long!

🔷 Cal Raleigh blasted his 48th and 49th home runs of the year, establishing a new all-time single-season record for MLB catchers. The Colorado Rockies are the first team to be mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. For the sixth time in his last 10 tries, Paul Skenes had a scoreless start. Vinnie Pasquantino has homered in six of his last seven games. Zack Wheeler will be undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery. Not only will it end his 2025 season, but it jeopardizes his readiness for next year.

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins and Atlanta Braves begin their final head-to-head series of 2025 (probable starters RHP Edward Cabrera and RHP Spencer Strider). Strider has struggled in back-to-back-to-back outings, allowing 20 earned runs on seven homers in his last 11 ⅔ innings pitched. The Marlins have a 44.3% chance to win, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 6:40 p.m. ET.

🔷 Prior to the series opener, Fish On First LIVE will preview it all beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET. FOF LIVE is presented by About The Fans. Check out our new merchandise collection (coupon code fof10 for 10% off).

 

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[Shawn]

I can’t stand Kyle sielaff, or rod allen. Tommy great as always wish he would be  play by play all year long and bring back rich waltz they where great together. Kyle just has no personality, zero pop culture knowledge he’s just boring. Also who doesn’t love a good Tommy rant when someone doesn’t hustle or this weekend when Gus tried to frame the ball before catching it classic Tommy. 

[1993 fan from start]

22 hours ago, Shawn said:

I can’t stand Kyle sielaff, or rod allen. Tommy great as always wish he would be  play by play all year long and bring back rich waltz they where great together. Kyle just has no personality, zero pop culture knowledge he’s just boring. Also who doesn’t love a good Tommy rant when someone doesn’t hustle or this weekend when Gus tried to frame the ball before catching it classic Tommy. 

Not going to talk bad about  Rod Allen . would weather listen to him over most any day. . Rays where it at now days.  Kyle sielaff is far better than   Paul Severino.    Falt like he jinx and gave to much credit to other teams.   and rating are up over him 1.2 higher so far.

• Craig Minervini: Pre/Postgame Host & TV/Radio Announcer needs stay their..  Not call games like no hate 
• love rich waltz and  Tommy. that when  marlins Tv rating where good also.   agree with other wise 100 percent 

[Ely Sussman]

2 hours ago, Shawn said:

Kyle just has no personality, zero pop culture knowledge he’s just boring. Also who doesn’t love a good Tommy rant when someone doesn’t hustle or this weekend when Gus tried to frame the ball before catching it classic Tommy. 

I find it funny that Kyle EMBRACES his lack of pop culture knowledge haha. In a sense, it is part of his personality that he so openly rejects the stuff other people like.

Tommy rants are the most memorable parts of the broadcast, for sure.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

Perhaps the Marlins can reacquire my dog, Hoeing.