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Thursday’s Games

MIA 2, PHI 4: Lorenzen shines in Phillies debut to take the series

Marlins Podcast Episodes

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• Thursday’s Marlins MiLB Notes: LHP Patrick Monteverde (Jacksonville) had the worst outing of his professional career (3.0 IP, 11 H, 13 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 3 HR). That throws a wrench into his Marlins Minor League Pitcher of the Year candidacy. OF Victor Mesa Jr. (Pensacola) had his first career multi-home run game. His 11 dingers this season equals his total from the 2019-2022 seasons combined. OF Osiris Johnson (Beloit) enjoyed a 3-for-5 night, continuing what’s been his best season as a Marlins prospect. OF Kemp Alderman (Jupiter) is off to a slow start with the bat since turning pro, now 2-for-24 with seven strikeouts. RHP Albert Polanco (DSL Marlins) tossed five scoreless innings against DSL Miami.

• Dating back to July 22, Joey Wendle is hitless in his last 28 at-bats. Maybe he just needs a breather? Wendle has quietly played in 42 consecutive Marlins games (albeit some of those off the bench).

• The Marlins are now 0-5 in games that Johnny Cueto has pitched this season. Truthfully, he did well against the Phillies (two inherited runners scored after he left the game).

• Craig Mish and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald report that the Marlins attempted to acquire Lance Lynn from the White Sox before ultimately swinging a deal for Jake Burger instead. Fellow pitching prospects Max Meyer and Dax Fulton were discussed during the negotiations (the Sox settled on Jake Eder). Lynn went to the Dodgers. Eury Pérez could possibly return to the Marlins roster during the Yankees series (Aug. 11-13). That implies Pérez will make one final minor league start on either Sunday or Tuesday.

• Another trade deadline what-if: the Marlins “felt they were close” to getting Justin Turner from the Red Sox, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. That would’ve been a bold move for both sides considering that Boston is still very alive for an American League playoff spot and Turner is a pending free agent (2024 player option doubtful to be exercised). The 38-year-old has had a better all-around season at the plate (126 wRC+ in 102 G) than the players that Miami added. The Marlins reportedly made Turner a competitive offer last winter when he was a free agent.

• Elsewhere around the majors, Liam Hendriks underwent Tommy John surgery. The cancer survivor and three-time All-Star pitched just five innings for the White Sox this season. The Cubs have won 11 of their last 13 games to reach three games over .500 for the first time since April. The Mets were swept by the lowly Royals and finished Thursday’s game with a position player on the mound. The Yankees have attributed the worst slump of Anthony Rizzo‘s career to post-concussion syndrome. He’s been placed on the injured list.

• We’ve got a new episode of Fish On First LIVE streaming tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET on YouTube/Twitch/Twitter. Super Subscribers, submit your series predictions before first pitch. With chiropractic care and functional health, La Pop takes a preventative approach that optimizes wellness and quality of life for all ages. Find out more here!

• The Marlins have a 43.8% chance to win their series opener against the Rangers, per FanGraphs. They are a half-game back of the third NL Wild Card spot entering play today. Double-A Pensacola (7:35 p.m. ET) and DSL Miami (11:00 a.m. ET) are at home, while Triple-A Jacksonville (8:05 p.m. ET), High-A Beloit (7:05 p.m. ET), Low-A Jupiter (6:30 p.m. ET) and DSL Marlins (11:00 a.m. ET) are on the road.

• Luis Arraez was the 2023 Marlins selection for the MLBPAA’s Heart and Hustle Award. The award honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game. Arraez also won it with the Twins in 2022. Jon Berti won it for the Marlins last year.

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• Kevin Barral mentions the solid production coming from members of the Marlins’ rookie-level affiliates (FCL Marlins, DSL Marlins and DSL Miami).

Midseason Marlins rookie ball updates

• Christina De Nicola of MLB.com does a roundup of the week’s worth of community impact events coordinated by the Marlins on this past homestand. She also explains that two of the mascots in the Marlins’ new mid-game Rooster Race have names derived from Charlie Hough and Bobby Maduro.

Photo courtesy of Danis Sosa/Fish On First