Phillies-Marlins Game 2: Start time, channel, how to watch and stream MLB playoffs
Aaron Nola will take the mound for the Phillies in Game 2 Wednesday, looking for a wild-card sweep.
![Phillies slugger Bryce Harper scores during their Game 1 win against the Miami Marlins. Game 2 of their wild-card series is Wednesday at 8:08 p.m.](https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/Rr1Aq-yEz6629--d4N9xuLAX5sA=/760x507/smart/filters:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/Y2Z2GKDNKFFF3LRP4JDAUE65GI.jpg)
The Phillies go for the wild-card sweep against the Marlins Wednesday after defeating Miami, 4-1, in South Philadelphia on Tuesday. Game 2 of their best-of-three series is scheduled to begin at 8:08 p.m. on ESPN.
Aaron Nola will take the mound for the Phillies coming off two strong starts, where he allowed just three earned runs over 12⅔ innings and struck out 16 batters. Nola’s contract expires after this season, so the 30-year-old right-hander will enjoy a second-straight postseason run, or Wednesday night could be his last start in a Phillies uniform.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” Nola told reporters this week. “Obviously I want to pitch here again in the postseason. But I don’t know what the future holds. So I’m going to try to cherish it as much as I can.”
Nola will face Marlins lefty Braxton Garrett, who went 9-7 with a 3.66 ERA this season. The Marlins won both games Garrett started against the Phillies this season, and he finished the year strong, posting a 2.10 ERA and 21 strikeouts over his final five starts. Phillies batters are hitting .353 against Garrett over his four-year career.
Here’s everything you need to know to watch Game 2 of the Phillies-Marlins wild-card series:
What channel is Phillies-Marlins game on?
![ESPN MLB announcers (from left) Eduardo Perez., David Cone, and Karl Ravech.](https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/SG-8mtzO783jIPWX7zUe_bomMko=/filters:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/JPF3PTDRABCVNJDZXVUVOTEXFQ.jpg)
Game 2 of Phillies-Marlins is scheduled to begin at 8:08 p.m. on ESPN.
Calling the game will be the network’s Sunday Night Baseball crew, which includes play-by-play announcer Karl Ravech and analysts Eduardo Pérez and David Cone. Buster Olney will report from Citizens Bank Park.
During Tuesday’s broadcast, ESPN’s crew gave 94.1 WIP producer Jack Fritz a shoutout for coming up with the idea to encourage Phillies fans to cheer — and not boo — a struggling Trea Turner in August. In the 48 games since fans showed him some love, Turner’s batting average improved from .235 to .337, his strikeout rate plunged nearly 30%, and he hit 16 home runs.
“Everyone acknowledges that Jack Fritz, apparently it was his idea, was brilliant in doing so,” Ravech said. Cone said if the Phillies end up winning the World Series, Fritz deserves a ring.
Phillies fans looking for hometown announcers can tune into 94.1 WIP, where longtime Phillies announcer Scott Franzke will call the game alongside Larry Andersen. You can either tune in on the radio or stream it for free on the Audacy app.
Bill Kulik and Oscar Budejen will call Phillies-Marlins in Spanish on La Unika 1680 AM.
» READ MORE: ESPN’s broadcast of Phillies-Marlins game had a couple of snafus
Where can I stream the Phillies-Marlins game?
Phillies-Marlins will stream on the ESPN app and on ESPN’s website, though it will only be available to those with a cable subscription. It won’t be available on ESPN+.
The game will also stream on any so-called skinny bundle that carries ESPN, including fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream. Most offer a free trial.
Jamie Moyer to throw out the first pitch
![Former Phillies' pitcher Jamie Moyer will toss out the first pitch ahead of Game 2.](https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/XuU2wZPa9SuiCyLf0FY94Q9ud_k=/filters:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/KY5HI2HGQBHVXKUOMVLAG2BWYA.jpg)
Former Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer has been tapped to toss the ceremonial first pitch ahead of Game 2.
The Bucks County native was a starting pitcher on the Phillies’ 2008 World Series-winning team, and spent five of his 25 seasons pitching in Philadelphia.
On Monday, first baseman Rhys Hoskins threw out the first pitch as he continues to recover from a knee injury that kept him off the field all season. He’ll fly to Florida Wednesday to continue his rehabilitation process with a chance of joining the team if they reach the World Series, which begins Oct. 27.
If the Phillies win tonight, who will they play in the divisional series?
If the Phillies defeat the Marlins and finish the wild-card series sweep, they’ll face the Atlanta Braves in the National League Divisional Series, which begins Saturday.
The best-of-five series has a 2-2-1 format, meaning the Phillies would be playing at Citizens Bank Park in Games 3 and 4.
More to read about the Phillies
![Phillies ace Zack Wheeler is greeted by teammates in the dugout.](https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/vbpq2TWPCEFwMxKNJBCUGHIdYes=/filters:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/MX6KLKJHDBCXLHQ5PAZOJEQYDM.jpg)
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler rebounded from his World Series fiasco to ace the Marlins in Game 1.
New York Mets fan Jerry Seinfeld loved watching Bryce Harper taking on Angel Hernández and admitted, “I like the Phillies this year.”
Rhys Hoskins is heading to Florida to face live pitching and continue work toward a possible return.
Bryce Harper’s recovery after elbow surgery even surprised his physical therapist.
Full Phillies wild-card playoff schedule
Game 1: Phillies 4, Marlins 1
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 8:08 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 5, 8:08 p.m. (ESPN)*
* If necessary. Game time could also change depending on other outcomes.
Other MLB playoff games on Wednesday
Rangers (1-0) at Rays (0-1), Game 2: 3:08 p.m., ABC (Sean McDonough, Jessica Mendoza, Tim Kurkjian)
Blue Jays (0-1) at Twins (1-0), Game 2: 4:38 p.m., ESPN (Michael Kay, Alex Rodriguez)
Diamondbacks (1-0) at Brewers (0-1), Game 2: 7:08 p.m., ESPN 2 (Jon Sciambi, Doug Glanville)
2023 MLB playoff TV schedule
Following the wild-card round, Fox will broadcast the final two rounds of the American League playoffs, while the National League games will air on TBS. The World Series will once again air on Fox.
Here’s how the MLB playoff schedule breaks down this season:
National League divisional series: Oct. 7-14 (TBS)
American League divisional series: Oct. 7-13 (Fox, FS1)
National League championship series: Oct. 16-24 (TBS)
American League championship series: Oct. 15-23 (Fox, FS1)
World Series: Oct. 27-Nov. 4 (Fox)