Philadelphia @ Miami preview
Marlins Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 13, 2013 ) Philadelphia 1, Miami 2
The same Philadelphia Phillies' offense that captured the previous series has struggled to score against the host Miami Marlins as the two division rivals meet in the rubber game of their series Sunday. Philadelphia scored 15 runs in winning its final two games against the New York Mets, but has been held to one run over the first nine innings in each of its first two games of this series. Although the Phillies managed a win Friday, the lack of offense caught up to them in Saturday’s 2-1 loss.
The Marlins received their second solid performance from 20-year-old pitcher Jose Fernandez and managed to end a five-game losing streak without slugger Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton, who belted 37 homers and recorded 86 RBIs a season ago, missed his second straight game because of a bruised left shoulder and is day-to-day. Despite the win, Miami – the lowest-scoring team in the majors – scored two or fewer runs for the fifth straight game and eighth time this season.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, WB17 (Philadelphia), Fox Sports Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Roy Halladay (0-2, 14.73 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Kevin Slowey (0-2, 2.19)
Halladay was roughed up for seven runs and six hits over four innings in Monday’s 7-2 setback against the Mets, allowing five or more runs in consecutive starts for the first time since joining the Phillies in 2010. The two-time Cy Young Award winner is 0-2 for the first time since 2004, which is also the last time he also failed to go more than four innings in consecutive starts. In 14 career starts against the Marlins, the eight-time All-Star is 7-4 with a 3.09 ERA.
Slowey took his second hard-luck loss in a row in Monday’s 2-0 loss at home against Atlanta, allowing two runs and six hits over seven frames. The right-hander, who did not pitch in the majors last season because of a stress fracture in his rib cage, yielded only run in his previous start. The 28-year-old has faced Philadelphia one time in his career, surrendering seven runs over 1 2/3 innings in 2010. However, Slowey has enjoyed some success against the one Phillie he has faced the most, Michael Young (1-for-6).
WALK-OFFS
1. Halladay, who notched his last victory against the Marlins on Sept. 29, will take his third shot at his 200th career win Sunday.
2. Miami has been shut out in both of Slowey’s starts.
3. The Marlins’ starting pitchers in this series – Ricky Nolasco and Fernandez – have hits in both their at-bats while the rest of the lineup is a combined 7-for-57.
PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Marlins 2