They Did It! Marlins Secure Playoff Berth for First Time in 20 Years

After a long and tumultuous season filled with ups and downs, the Miami Marlins have clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Their journey to postseason glory was a remarkable tale of resilience and determination, marked by key trades, unexpected successes, and a historic batting achievement.

The Fish sealed their playoff berth in spectacular fashion on a Saturday night showdown against the Brewers, emerging victorious with a commanding 7-3 win. Their magic number to clinch the playoff spot was just one game, and even though the Cubs managed to defeat the Brewers on the same night, it did not matter as the Marlins win gave them the tiebreaker over the Cubs.

The 2023 season was one for the books, filled with challenges that tested the Marlins’ mettle. Their star pitcher and Cy Young candidate, Sandy Alcantara, struggled for the majority of the year, and when he finally hit his stride, an unfortunate injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Injuries also plagued the starting lineup, and the bullpen faced its own set of difficulties. At one point, the Marlins were riding high, 13 games above .500, only to find themselves out of playoff contention in the blink of an eye. But through it all, they refused to back down.

Crucial trades that brought in players like Josh Bell and Jake Burger played a pivotal role in securing the postseason berth. It was Josh Bell’s clutch two-run double in the game against the Brewers that ultimately sealed the deal for the Fish, sending them into playoff euphoria.

One of the most peculiar aspects of this Marlins season was their extraordinary success in one-run games. The team boasted a remarkable 33-13 record in such contests, leading the entire MLB in victories in one-run games. Their winning percentage of .718 in these nail-biters was the best in the National League since 1980 and the best in the MLB for a full season since the 2016 Rangers (.766).

Another historic achievement came in the form of Luis Arraez, who became the first player ever to win the batting title in consecutive years in both the National League and the American League. Arraez also became the third Marlins player to claim the National League batting title, joining the elite company of Hanley Ramirez (2009) and Dee Gordon-Strange (2015). Furthermore, Arraez’s remarkable feat made history as he led all of MLB in batting average, a first in the franchise’s history.

Despite finishing the regular season with a run differential of -56, the worst of any playoff-bound team ever, the Marlins managed to secure the second spot in the NL Wild Card race. They leapfrogged past the Arizona Diamondbacks and are now set to face the Phillies in a best-of-three series, marking the first-ever playoff matchup between the two teams. Jesús Luzardo will take the mound for the Marlins in game one, scheduled for Tuesday at 8:08 PM, with all games to be played in Philadelphia.

As for the suspended game against the Mets, MLB has made the decision that the Marlins will not have to resume the contest, but all statistics from that game will be counted, ensuring a fair and equitable conclusion to a season full of surprises and triumphs for the Miami Marlins. Get ready, Marlins fans, the Fish are playing October baseball!

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