As 2026 MLB Spring Training kicks off in earnest, an exciting matchup awaits in the early morning hours tomorrow.
The Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies of the National League East will face off at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida.
This game, starting at 1:10 PM ET on February 24 (3:10 AM KST on February 25), is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first preseason meeting between the Phillies, who claimed the NL East title in 2025 with a 96-66 record, and the Marlins, who finished third in the division at 79-83.
Game Overview
| Category | Details |
| Event | 2026 MLB Spring Training |
| Date & Time | Feb 25 (Wed) 03:10 KST / Feb 24 (Tue) 13:10 ET |
| Venue | Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium (Jupiter, Florida) |
| Home Team | Miami Marlins |
| Away Team | Philadelphia Phillies |
Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, where this game will be held, is a cozy ballpark with approximately 6,800 seats, shared by the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals as their Spring Training home.
An interesting storyline for this game is that former Marlins manager Don Mattingly returns as the bench coach for the Phillies.
Philadelphia Phillies - 2025 Season Review & 2026 Outlook
The Philadelphia Phillies went 96-66 in 2025, claiming the NL East title and achieving back-to-back division championships.
However, their postseason run ended in disappointment as they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-3 in the NLDS.
Heading into the 2026 season, the Phillies have undergone significant changes.
The biggest transformation has been in their starting rotation.
Left-handed ace Ranger Suárez departed after signing a 5-year, $130 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, while Zack Wheeler remains uncertain for Opening Day as he recovers from surgery.
In their place, Cristopher Sánchez, who posted a 13-5 record with a 2.50 ERA and led the league in bWAR during the 2025 season, has established himself as the new ace.
Jesús Luzardo will slot in as the number two starter, with Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker, and top prospect Andrew Painter expected to round out the rotation.
Phillies 2026 Projected Starting Rotation
No. 1: Cristopher Sánchez (LHP)
No. 2: Jesús Luzardo (LHP)
No. 3: Aaron Nola (RHP)
No. 4: Taijuan Walker (RHP)
No. 5: Andrew Painter (RHP)
The lineup remains formidable.
Kyle Schwarber, who posted a career-high 56 home runs and 132 RBIs to finish second in NL MVP voting in 2025, re-signed on a 5-year, $150 million deal to anchor the heart of the order.
Bryce Harper (27 HR, 75 RBI), Alec Bohm, and Trea Turner form the top of the lineup, while newly acquired Adolis García (formerly of the Texas Rangers) joins the outfield.
Whether top prospect Justin Crawford, who rapidly ascended through the minor leagues, can claim the center field job is also a point of interest.
| Player | Position | 2025 Key Stats |
| Trea Turner | SS | Leadoff hitter, elite speed |
| Bryce Harper | 1B | .261 / 27HR / 75RBI |
| Kyle Schwarber | DH | .240 / 56HR / 132RBI |
| Alec Bohm | 3B | Core lineup hitter |
| Adolis García | RF | New acquisition (1yr / $10M) |
| J.T. Realmuto | C | Re-signed (3yr / $45M) |
Miami Marlins - Year Two of the Rebuild
The Miami Marlins finished the 2025 season at 79-83, good for third place in the NL East, a remarkable 17-win improvement over their 2024 campaign (62-100).
Manager Clayton McCullough clearly set the team's direction in his first season at the helm.
However, the Marlins continued their rebuilding approach during the 2026 offseason, trading away rotation mainstays Edward Cabrera (to the Chicago Cubs) and Ryan Weathers (to the New York Yankees) in exchange for a haul of prospects.
Outfield prospect Owen Caissie, acquired from the Cubs, and Dylan Lesko from the Yankees deal are generating excitement as potential future cornerstones.
The Marlins' greatest weapon remains their starting rotation.
2022 Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara anchors the staff. While he struggled somewhat in 2025 with an 11-12 record and 5.36 ERA, he showed strong signs of a comeback in the second half, posting a 3.33 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.
Number two starter Eury Pérez also showed improvement in his first year back from Tommy John surgery, going 7-6 with a 4.25 ERA in 2025, and regaining his form in the second half with a 3.86 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 16 appearances.
With Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett, and Chris Paddack also competing for rotation spots, the pitching competition during Spring Training promises to be intense.
Marlins 2026 Projected Starting Rotation
No. 1: Sandy Alcantara (RHP)
No. 2: Eury Pérez (RHP)
No. 3: Max Meyer (RHP)
No. 4: Braxton Garrett (LHP)
No. 5: Chris Paddack / Adam Mazur (competing)
The lineup has been significantly overhauled with young players.
Xavier Edwards, a 2025 NL Gold Glove finalist, mans second base, while defensive standout Otto Lopez holds down shortstop.
Former Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays infielder Christopher Morel takes on a new challenge at first base, with Kyle Stowers in left field and Griffin Conine at designated hitter.
Prospect Agustín Ramírez is penciled in behind the plate, making it fascinating to see what kind of chemistry this young Marlins core can create.
| Order | Player | Position |
| 1 | Xavier Edwards | 2B |
| 2 | Jacob Massy | CF |
| 3 | Agustín Ramírez | C |
| 4 | Kyle Stowers | LF |
| 5 | Christopher Morel | 1B |
| 6 | Otto Lopez | SS |
| 7 | Griffin Conine | DH |
| 8 | Connor Norby | 3B |
| 9 | Owen Caissie | RF |
2025 Season Head-to-Head Record
During the 2025 regular season, the Philadelphia Phillies dominated the Miami Marlins, going 9-4 in 13 meetings.
The Phillies have consistently held the upper hand against their divisional rival Marlins over recent seasons.
Of course, Spring Training is a different beast from the regular season.
Both teams prioritize player evaluation and conditioning over winning, so regular season records don't necessarily carry over.
| Season | Phillies Wins | Marlins Wins | Result |
| 2025 | 9 | 4 | Phillies dominant |
Key Players
1. Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies)
Coming off a phenomenal 2025 season with 56 home runs and 132 RBIs, Schwarber re-signed with the Phillies on a massive 5-year, $150 million deal.
After finishing second in NL MVP voting in the best season of his career, all eyes will be on whether he can sustain that explosive power into 2026.
His swing feel and conditioning during Spring Training will be an important barometer for his season outlook.
2. Sandy Alcantara (Miami Marlins)
The 2022 Cy Young Award winner struggled with a 7.22 ERA in the first half of 2025 but staged a dramatic turnaround with a 3.33 ERA in the second half.
Entering the 2026 season fully healthy, his stuff and conditioning during Spring Training will be the key variable that could determine the Marlins' entire season.
3. Eury Pérez (Miami Marlins)
Regarded as one of the most electric young arms in all of baseball, Pérez successfully completed his first year back from Tommy John surgery.
He signaled a full return by posting a 3.86 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 16 second-half appearances in 2025, and ace-level performance is expected in the 2026 season.
This Spring Training provides a great opportunity to evaluate his velocity and breaking ball command.
Game Key Points
1. First Impressions of Newly Acquired Players
Both teams brought in new faces this offseason — the Phillies with Adolis García and Justin Crawford, and the Marlins with Christopher Morel and Pete Fairbanks.
How these players look in early Spring Training will provide the first clues about each team's season outlook.
Christopher Morel's adjustment to his new position at first base is particularly key, while the focus for García will be whether he can recapture his explosive form from three years ago.
2. Young Prospects Competing for Roster Spots
Andrew Painter, a 22-year-old Phillies prospect with no major league experience yet, faces the challenge of earning a rotation spot this Spring Training.
The Marlins also have highly touted pitching prospects Thomas White (No. 17 overall MLB prospect) and Robby Snelling (Minor League Pitcher of the Year) in camp as non-roster invitees.
Their pitching opportunities and performances will be a major point of interest for fans of both teams.
3. Pitching Staff's Season Readiness
With Zack Wheeler sidelined, the rest of the Phillies' starting rotation shoulders even greater responsibility.
Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo will inevitably carry a significant burden, making bullpen reinforcement a critical priority.
The bullpen is anchored by closer Jhoan Durán, with José Alvarado and Orion Kerkering among the key relievers. How the bullpen is managed during Spring Training will provide hints about the team's in-season strategy.
What to Watch For
As this is a Spring Training game, the focus should be on player conditioning and season preparation rather than the final score.
Phillies fans should keep an eye on Kyle Schwarber's first at-bat and swing feel, newly acquired Adolis García's play, and prospect Justin Crawford's outfield defense and hitting.
Marlins fans should focus on Christopher Morel's adjustment to first base, the young lineup's offensive punch, and the starting pitchers' stuff.
Both teams have players participating in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), so some key starters may be absent.
For the Phillies, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Aaron Nola are expected to join Team USA, so whether they will be available for this game depends on the lineup announced on game day.
Prediction
Win-loss predictions carry little significance in early Spring Training games.
Starter availability and innings limits are fluid for both teams.
That said, the Philadelphia Phillies clearly hold the advantage in terms of overall talent.
Built on the foundation of their 96-win 2025 season, the Phillies have strengthened their roster with the Schwarber extension and García acquisition, making them a leading NL East contender once again in 2026.
The Miami Marlins, meanwhile, are still in the midst of a rebuild, but they possess a formidable one-two punch at the top of the rotation in Alcantara and Pérez, and could surprise during the regular season depending on the development of their young players.
Simply gauging where both teams stand in their season preparations makes this first Spring Training showdown well worth watching.
As 2026 MLB Spring Training gets underway, both teams' journeys toward the new season are officially in motion.
Don't miss this first meeting between the NL East champion Phillies and the challenger Marlins.