San Diego @ Miami preview

San Diego at Miami

Last Meeting ( May 8, 2013 ) Miami 0, San Diego 1

The Miami Marlins certainly aren't playing like a team that owns the worst mark in baseball. Winners of three in a row and seven of 10, the Marlins will look to continue their recent run of good fortune when they open a four-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres on Friday. Miami is coming off an abbreviated two-game series sweep of Minnesota.

The Marlins didn't have much luck the first time they faced the Padres, getting outscored 11-1 en route to a three-game road sweep on May 6-8. To add to Friday's challenge, San Diego starter Edinson Volquez boasts an impressive 4-0 mark with a 1.74 ERA in five career starts versus the Marlins. The Padres have hit a bump in the road in their quest toward the top of the National League West, losing two of three to Philadelphia and four of their last five overall.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSSD (San Diego), FSFL (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Edinson Volquez (5-6, 5.67 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (4-7, 3.68)

Volquez didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning in his last outing, although the performance wasn't as sparkling as one would think. The 29-year-old Dominican matched a career high with seven walks in 5 2/3 innings en route to a setback against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. Volquez has split four road decisions, but owns a gaudy 1.78 WHIP while letting opponents bat .320 against him away from home.

The subject of trade rumors, Nolasco deserved a better fate when he last faced San Diego. The 30-year-old Southern California native yielded one run on four hits and struck out nine in seven innings as the Marlins dropped a 1-0 decision on May 8. Nolasco, who is 4-4 in his career against the Padres, settled for a no-decision after allowing three runs in 5 2/3 innings versus San Francisco in his last trip to the mound.

WALK-OFFS

1. Multiple media outlets have reported that the Padres are one of the teams interested in acquiring Nolasco prior to the trade deadline.

2. San Diego promising rookie 2B Jedd Gyorko could return to action Friday after being sidelined with a strained right groin.

3. Miami RF Giancarlo Stanton, who did not face Nolasco on May 8 due to a hamstring injury, is 2-for-5 with a solo homer in his career versus the hurler.

PREDICTION: Padres 3, Marlins 2