3 Keys to Phillies Sweeping the Marlins in NL Wild Card Series
By Tyler Maher
2. Playoff Experience Matters
The Phillies made it all the way to the World Series last year, and most of the same players are back this year. That means we don't have to worry about Philadelphia wilting under the bright lights of October, especially given that we were a Wild Card team last year as well.
For the Marlins, however, the postseason is basically uncharted territory for them.
Yes, they made the playoffs during the Covid-shortened 2020 season, but that was different. The season was only 60 games that year and 16 of the 30 teams reached the postseason. There were no fans in the stands, either, so that doesn't really count.
And even if it did count, that doesn't help Miami's case. The Fish got swept 3-0 in the first round that year, which bodes well for the thesis of this article. Miami hasn't won a playoff game since 2003 -- exactly 20 years ago.
That's a long time! Most Marlins players were just little kids when that happened.
So yeah, don't be surprised if Miami looks totally overwhelmed in this series. Everything about October baseball is different, from the atmosphere and crowds to the start times and weather. There's nothing that can truly prepare you for the postseason until you've actually done it.
The Phillies have been there and done that, so we can count on this grizzled bunch to take care of business.