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Miami Herald

Sport

David Wilson

Marlins make statement by taking 5 of 7 from Phillies. Now playoff odds are looking good.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (21) watches a pitch go over home plate in the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins on Monday, September 14, 2020 at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/TNS)

MIAMI _ Will there ever come a day this season when the Miami Marlins are thought of as something more than just a cute story? Can there come a point when the Marlins aren't just the team that has overcome so much, but instead are the team that can do something in the MLB postseason?

If it's going to happen, this weekend should have captured some attention. Miami hosted the Philadelphia Phillies for the first regular-season seven-game series since 1967 and took 5 of 7, including a 6-2 win Monday at Marlins Park. Miami entered Thursday 1 { games behind the Phillies for second place in the National League East and finishes Monday 1 { ahead of the division rival.

With less than two weeks left in the season, the Marlins are in firm control of a playoff spot and ready to try to chase down the first-place Atlanta Braves.

Miami Marlins outfielders Corey Dickerson (23) and Starling Marte (6) react after scoring off of outfielder Jesus Aguilar's ground ball double in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, September 14, 2020 at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/TNS)

"We know that everybody just thinks were the Marlins. It's kind of like a stigma," outfielder Corey Dickerson said. "We know how much talent we have. The depth is crazy and people will start to realize it."

On Sunday, Miami showed off its organizational pitching depth. Sixto Sanchez continued to make his case for the NL Rookie of the Year award by throwing a seven-inning complete game to win Game 1 of a doubleheader, then fellow starting pitcher Braxton Garrett made the trip down from Jupiter for the day to throw five innings of one-run ball to win Game 2 before heading right back up to the alternate training site.

The Marlins' clinched a statement series victory by leaning on rookie pitchers and exciting young performers, and then their veterans took care of seventh and final game of the series to keep Miami (24-21) in second place.

The Miami Marlins celebrate a 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, September 14, 2020 at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/TNS)

Dickerson, first baseman Jesus Aguilar, shortstop Miguel Rojas, and outfielders Starling Marte and Matt Joyce _ the five oldest position players on the active roster _ combined for seven hits, six runs and four RBIs to help the Marlins rally to beat Philadelphia (23-23) behind Pablo Lopez, the second most experienced starter on the active roster.

Lopez (4-4) shrugged off a leadoff homer by outfielder Andrew McCutchen and sailed through seven one-run innings. The right-handed pitcher gave up just three hits and struck out six to bounce back after giving up 12 runs across 5 2/3 innings in his last two starts.

Miami quickly got the run back in the bottom of the second. Joyce led off with a single against starting pitcher Vince Velasquez and rookie middle infielder Jazz Chisholm sent him home with another. In the third, the Marlins jumped ahead for good when Dickerson, Marte and Aguilar led off with three straight hits against Velasquez (0-1) with Aguilar sending them both home with a double.

Miami Marlins infielder Miguel Rojas (19) swings at pitch before lining out to right field in the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, September 14, 2020 at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/TNS)

An inning later, third baseman Brian Anderson doubled home Rojas, and Rojas and Marte each added solo homers in the late innings to seal a third straight win.

With the veterans performing and a loaded rookie class injecting energy, Miami has a better than 70% chance to make the eight-team NL playoffs, with a chance to chase down the first-place Braves.

On Sunday alone, the Marlins' playoff odds spiked by 33.0 percent, according to Baseball-Reference.com. In the last week, their odds have climbed more than any other team, jumping 49.7% in the last seven days entering Monday. No other team's odds had risen even 15 percent.

Miami Marlins outfielder Starling Marte (6) is greeted by his team in the dugout after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, September 14, 2020 at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/TNS)

The win Monday will keep Miami within at least 3 { games of Atlanta with a four-game series between the two set to begin next Monday at Truist Park. The Marlins, currently sitting as the No. 5 seed, will also remain within at least six games of the No. 4-seed San Diego Padres.