Philadelphia @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( May 21, 2013 ) Philadelphia 7, Miami 3

The Philadelphia Phillies need Ryan Howard to produce - and stay healthy - if they have designs on challenging for the National League East title. After receiving a cortisone shot for his ailing left knee, Howard seems ready to return to form. The Phillies will try for a series victory when they visit the Miami Marlins on Wednesday in the rubber match of their three-game set. After missing two contests, Howard had three hits and three RBIs in Philadelphia's 7-2 victory on Tuesday.

While Howard appears to be OK for now, the Phillies have other injury concerns. Catcher Carlos Ruiz was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined 3-to-4 weeks with a hamstring injury. Second baseman Chase Utley was a late scratch Tuesday after feeling what the team called "discomfort on his right ribcage" during batting practice. With Roy Halladay out for a substantial period with a shoulder injury and Cole Hamels struggling at 1-7, Cliff Lee is the last ace in the Phillies' deck. He will oppose Kevin Slowey, who had a 1.81 ERA after his first seven starts before losing his last two outings.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, PHL 17 (Philadelphia), Fox Sports Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cliff Lee (4-2, 2.83 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Kevin Slowey (1-4, 3.44)

The 34-year-old Lee hasn't lost in three starts (2-0) and has yielded four runs and 17 hits in 22 innings during that span. Both wins came on the road - against Arizona and San Francisco - and he is 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in five starts away from home. Lee received a no-decision when he allowed two runs and six hits while striking out seven in seven innings in a 5-3 victory over Cincinnati on Friday. Lee is 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA in eight starts against Miami.

Slowey allowed 11 runs and 18 hits over 7 2/3 innings in his last two starts against the Diamondbacks and Dodgers. He yielded four home runs in his first eight starts, but three in Friday's 9-2 loss to Arizona. The 29-year-old is 1-0 and allowed one run in 12 1/3 innings in two starts against the Phillies this season. Slowey was the beneficiary of Miami's offensive explosion in a 14-2 victory over Philadelphia on May 5. The Marlins have scored 11 runs in his other eight starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins RHP Ryan Webb allowed two runs and three hits Tuesday to snap his scoreless innings streak at 17 1/3.

2. Miami is last in the major leagues with 122 runs - 2.7 per game - while Philadelphia has scored the third-fewest (157, 3.4).

3. Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins has 255 career hits against the Marlins, second to former Braves great Chipper Jones' 259.

PREDICTION: Phillies 2, Marlins 1