Miami Marlins 2023 Wild Card Series Roster Projection #2

With a postseason berth looking likely for the Miami Marlins entering their final regular season series, I projected what their roster construction would look like for the NL Wild Card Series. Now that they've officially clinched a spot and learned that they'll be facing the Philadelphia Phillies, it is time for an update to that projection.

As a refresher, this is a best-of-three series and the roster will include 26 players.

Pitchers (12)

• Huascar Brazoban
• Edward Cabrera
• JT Chargois
• Johnny Cueto
• Braxton Garrett (Game 2 SP)
• Jesús Luzardo (Game 1 SP)
• Andrew Nardi
• Steven Okert
• A.J. Puk
• David Robertson
• Tanner Scott
• George Soriano

Changes from Projection #1: Ryan Weathers removed.

Weathers made the final start of the regular season for the Marlins. He went six shutout innings where he struck out five and walked three on only two hits, leaving a nice impression.

However, Weathers simply won't be available to contribute against the Phillies after that 99-pitch performance. The series will end by Thursday, just four days removed from making that start. The fact that Weathers was called up in the first place suggests the Marlins just wanted to rest their more established pitchers with a playoff spot already secure.

Bryan Hoeing was the other arm on the 40-man roster worth considering. Even though he can eat innings and pitch in several different roles, his struggles late in the season make him untrustworthy. That includes giving up all three runs in Sunday's loss and 12 runs over his final four innings combined.

Because this is such a short series, the Marlins can get away with carrying only 12 pitchers. If they advance to the division series, they will definitely need more.

Position Players (14)

• Luis Arráez
• Jake Burger
• Josh Bell
• Jon Berti
• Jazz Chisholm Jr.
• Bryan De La Cruz
• Xavier Edwards
• Nick Fortes
• Yuli Gurriel
• Garrett Hampson
• Jesús Sánchez
• Jorge Soler
• Jacob Stallings
• Joey Wendle

Changes from Projection #1: Joey Wendle added.

This is the same position player group that the Marlins had for the final two weeks of the regular season.

We assume Soler (DH), Bell (1B), Burger (3B), De La Cruz (LF), Chisholm (CF) and Sánchez (RF) are going to be starters every game. Both Luzardo and Garrett threw exclusively to Fortes this season and that should continue, with Stallings probably catching Game 3 if necessary.

The biggest question is the status of Arráez (left ankle sprain). If he's healthy enough to play second base, Berti will fill out the lineup at shortstop. If he is not, that creates opportunities for Hampson and Edwards. There is also the possibility that Arráez is ready to be a DH, but nothing else. That could move Soler to right field and squeeze De La Cruz or Sánchez to the bench.

Photo by Danis Sosa/Fish On First