San Diego @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 5, 2014 ) San Diego 0, Miami 5

While the Miami Marlins have jumped out to a surprising 5-1 start, the San Diego Padres are in danger of digging themselves a hole for the third straight season. When the Marlins aim for a series sweep of the visiting Padres on Sunday, they’ll begin the day leading the National League in batting average (.313), runs scored (40) and doubles (18). San Diego has lost four straight following an Opening Day win over the Dodgers, and the Padres are off to another slow start after beginning 9-20 in 2012 and 5-15 last season.

The Marlins’ offense has been led by Casey McGehee and Giancarlo Stanton, who have driven in a combined 21 runs. “I like our at bats in the middle,” Miami manager Mike Redmond told the Palm Beach Post. “Those guys are kind of feeding off each other right now and that’s good. I’ve seen those guys lock it in with runners in scoring position and that’s big.” San Diego is struggling without injured outfielders Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin, and Jedd Gyorko is off to a 2-for-14 start while Chase Headley is batting .105.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSSD (San Diego), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Ian Kennedy (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 3.00)

Kennedy yielded three runs on the five hits in five innings against the Dodgers last Tuesday, and he needed 103 pitches to record the 15 outs. The 29-year-old, who was acquired from Arizona last July, is 12-5 with a 3.40 ERA in 26 career starts against National League East opponents. Stanton is 3-for-8 with two home runs against Kennedy, who is 2-1 with a 4.01 ERA in four career starts against the Marlins.

Eovaldi, whose fastball averaged 96.2 mph last season, allowed two runs on six hits and struck out six in six innings against Colorado last Tuesday. “He has the ability to be a top of the order type pitcher with that fastball,” Redmond told the Sun Sentinel. “He’s got a special arm and will only get better as his breaking pitches improve.” Eovaldi is 1-0 with a 0.79 ERA in two career starts against San Diego.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami is off to its best start since going 11-1 to begin the 2009 season.

2. San Diego has scored a total of eight runs during its 1-4 start.

3. Marlins 2B Rafael Furcal (hamstring) will go to extended spring training on Monday and is expected to begin playing in minor league games around April 13.

PREDICTION: Marlins 6, Padres 3