Philadelphia @ Florida preview
Sun Life Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 8, 2010 ) Florida 6, Philadelphia 10
Joe Blanton is proving to be a second-half pitcher for the second straight season.
The burly right-hander is 3-1 with a 3.67 ERA in 11 starts since the All-Star break. As a result, Blanton (6-6, 5.15 ERA) is lining himself up as the team's potential fourth starter should it make the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
While proven studs Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt will get preference from Charlie Manuel, Blanton is proving himself to be a good egg should the manager feel the need for a fourth starter in the postseason.
Blanton will look to keep the Phillies (83-61) rolling as they begin a three-game series against the Florida Marlins (73-69) on Monday.
Three-time defending NL East champion Philadelphia reclaimed first place in the division in spectacular fashion.
Roy Oswalt recorded his 20th career complete game on Sunday in a 3-0 victory over the New York Mets. The shutout served as the 18th of the season for the Phillies - the most by the club since it had 18 in 1965.
Raul Ibanez belted a solo homer and All-Stars Chase Utley and Ryan Howard added singles for Philadelphia, which waited a few hours before watching the Atlanta Braves (82-62) drop a 7-3 decision to the St. Louis Cardinals.
And while we're looking at the standings - and if you're a glass-half-full type of person - the Marlins are nine full games in back of the Phillies for the division title. They are also eight games in back of the Braves for the wild card.
Rookie Mike Stanton belted a pair of homers and drove in three runs as the Marlins capped a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals with a 6-5 triumph on Sunday.
For his part, Blanton also struggled in his last outing against the Marlins. The 29-year-old Blanton allowed four runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision last Tuesday.
He is 4-2 with a 3.35 ERA in seven career starts against Marlins.
Florida will counter with left-hander Andrew Miller (1-1, 6.16 ERA), who will face the Phillies for a second consecutive start.
The sixth overall pick of the 2006 draft, Miller didn't fare so well in that one, permitting seven runs and 11 hits in four innings as the Marlins dropped a 10-6 decision on Wednesday.
Miller has also had difficulty locating the strike zone as he has walked 13 in 19 innings this season.
The hurler will not face injured shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who was sent to Philadelphia and will have an MRI on his tight right hamstring on Monday.
The three-time All-Star sat out the weekend series against the Mets with the injury, which he suffered during Wednesday's triumph over the Marlins.