Marlins-Phillies: Four-Game Series Will Dictate Second Half

Four games—that's how far back the Marlins are off the Phillies at the All-Star break.

It's also how many games the Marlins will play against the Phillies in Miami to start the second half. 

For the Marlins to be contenders, they need to win this series.

Splitting simply will not be enough.

Four games is hard to make up, especially with the Phillies playing the way they have as of late. The Marlins have the best chance of making up ground when the two teams go head-to-head.

After the Phillies series, the Marlins head out west for six games against the Padres and Dodgers. The Marlins historically struggle on the west coast, and it's unlikely they would go better than 3-3 on the trip.

At the same time the Marlins will be on that six game trip, the Phillies have a seven-game home stand.

You can see where the Marlins could drastically lose ground to begin the second half. Anything less than three wins against the Phillies could end the Marlins' playoff hopes early.

If the Marlins win one or less game in the four game series—well, you get the picture.

Now you know what Larry Beinfest is talking about when he says he's waiting to see how the Marlins do the next few weeks.