The Miami Marlins are not going to the National League Playoffs; the Chicago Cubs are, but it hasn't looked that way in the last two games.

The Fish came out firing in the Windy City, taking the first game, 8-2 in extra innings, and winning a close one on Tuesday night, 3-2, behind solid pitching and timely hitting. So far in this series, the Marlins (78-80), have looked more like a dominant postseason contender, while the Cubbies (87-71), the much better team on paper, have scuffled. 

For Chicago, this series was supposed to be crowning moment on the season. They entered the opener only needing one win to clinch a playoff spot. Two days and two victories by Miami later, and along with solid play from the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Cubbies are still waiting to punch their ticket to postseason paradise.

The Marlins have left the Cubs - who will inevitably qualify for a Wild Card spot - on the outside of the party, peeking through the window. But Chicago will remain undaunted in their hunt for October, sending a smooth-throwing southpaw to the mound in the series finale.

Lefthanded pitcher Matthew Boyd, who is 9-5 on the year with a 4.06 ERA and 93 strikeouts, will make the start for Chicago. He's been solid down the stretch, going 3-4 with a 4.30 ERA and 38 strikeouts over his last 10 appearances (all starts) leading up to Thursday's matchup.

The Marlins could have some trouble against Phillips, as they haven't exactly lit up portside pitching this season. As a team, they are hitting just .230 against lefties with 35 home runs and an OBP of .316 this season.

They have had much better success against those throwing from the other side of the mound. Miami is hitting .254 against righthanded pitching, meaning their cumulative average against lefties is 19 points lower. Their OPS is also .740 against right-handers versus .689 against lefties.

Miami will send Tyler Phillips to the mound to start. He began the year as a fixture in the bullpen, but has shown versatility in assuming a starting role when pressed into duty. The righty is 5-6 with a 3.45 ERA and 99 strikeouts this year, but manager Clayton McCullough will likely be ecstatic if he gets four quality innings out of him. Especially since the Fish have relied on the bullpen heavily in the first two games. Of the 21 innings pitched in that pair of contests, Miami relievers have tossed 10.2 of them. 

First pitch at the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field is scheduled for 2:20 PM ET.