Marlins postseason FAQ: What's next?
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PITTSBURGH -- "We're not done yet."
The Marlins are headed to the postseason for the first time in a full season in 20 years, but they're not content. Manager Skip Schumaker reiterated that to his club moments before the champagne flowed in the visitors' clubhouse at PNC Park.
Here's a look at some of the questions ahead.
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Will the Marlins have to resume their suspended game against the Mets on Monday?
Miami will not need to do so after Arizona lost to Houston on Sunday, keeping the Marlins a half-game ahead of the D-backs in the standings. A loss in the suspended game would've given both the Marlins and D-backs the same record, but Miami held the head-to-head tiebreaker over Arizona, having won four of six in the season series.
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When and where do the Marlins play? Who will be their opponent?
With the fifth seed, the Marlins will face the reigning National League champions and fourth-seeded Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Miami took the season series, 7-6, after winning two of three in Philadelphia in September.
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How can you catch the action?
The Marlins will host a watch party at loanDepot park on Tuesday. Get your complimentary tickets here. You can also catch the action at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
What could the postseason roster look like?
After playing with a 28-man roster in September, teams revert to 26 players (with a maximum of 13 pitchers) in each round of the postseason, with rosters due the day of each Game 1. In a best-of-three series, the Marlins don't need to go with an even 13-pitcher/13-position player split.
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With ace Sandy Alcantara and rookie Eury P¨Śrez on the injured list, left-handers Jes¨˛s Luzardo and Braxton Garrett will start Games 1 and 2. Over the season's final month, the Marlins carried several multi-inning arms in bullpen games. In a short series, they don't need to do that.
If that's the case, Miami could keep both left-handed-hitting Joey Wendle and switch-hitting rookie Xavier Edwards on the roster to mix and match for a right-handed-heavy lineup. Wendle can also be a defensive replacement at shortstop, while Edwards could be used as a pinch-runner late in games.
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Down the stretch, Jon Berti and Garrett Hampson have gotten significant reps because Schumaker likes to play the hot hand.
C: Jacob Stallings, Nick Fortes
1B: Josh Bell
2B: Luis Arraez
SS: Jon Berti
3B: Jake Burger
LF: Bryan De La Cruz
CF: Jazz Chisholm Jr.
RF: Jes¨˛s S¨˘nchez
DH: Jorge Soler
Bench: Yuli Gurriel, Garrett Hampson, Joey Wendle, Xavier Edwards
SP: Braxton Garrett, Jes¨˛s Luzardo, Edward Cabrera
RP: Tanner Scott, Andrew Nardi, David Robertson, A.J. Puk, Steven Okert, JT Chargois, Huascar Brazoban, George Soriano, Johnny Cueto
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How is the rotation lining up?
Luzardo will be on regular four days' rest to start Game 1 of the WC Series. In Thursday's suspended game, Luzardo set the franchise record for single-season strikeouts by a left-hander (208), and third overall behind Jos¨Ś Fern¨˘ndez (253) and Ryan Dempster (209).
Garrett, who has been the club's most consistent starter, will be on five days' rest. Miami went 21-10 in games he pitched this season. In a decisive Game 3, Schumaker would certainly be aggressive in pulling Edward Cabrera -- should he start and if need be -- just like he was in Friday's comeback victory.
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Will Arraez be ready to return to the lineup?
Did Schumaker tip his hand?
Postgame Sunday, Schumaker was asked about Arraez winning back-to-back batting titles and the possibility of him being ready to go for the postseason.
"I'm looking forward to seeing him on Tuesday," Schumaker said.
"One hundred percent," Arraez said during Saturday's clubhouse celebration. "One hundred percent, yes."
Arraez has not started a game since Sept. 23, when he twisted his left ankle tripping on the dugout stairs as the loanDepot park lights had dimmed for Scott's closer entrance. Arraez previously missed two games on Sept. 19-20 with a left ankle sprain.
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When Arraez aggravated his ankle, he couldn't walk and his foot was in a boot. But Arraez has shown marked improvement over the past few days, even collecting a pinch-hit single on Friday in his first game action in six days.
On Friday and Saturday, Arraez fielded grounders at second base. With Soler dealing with right side discomfort earlier in the week, he will serve as the designated hitter, meaning Arraez must play second base to get in the lineup.
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What is the MarlinsĄŻ postseason history?
1997 -- Won 4-3 against Cleveland in the World Series
2003 -- Won 4-2 against the Yankees in the World Series
2020 -- Lost 3-0 against the Braves in the NL Division Series