Miami @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 2, 2015 ) Miami 0, Philadelphia 0

The Philadelphia Phillies are trying to end an otherwise lost season on a high note and bring a four-game winning streak into the final series of the campaign. After rain postponed the series opener, the Phillies attempt to keep the positive momentum going when they host the Miami Marlins in a doubleheader on Saturday.

Philadelphia fans can point to the fact that their team is not packing it in down the stretch as a reason to be optimistic about the future, and the Phillies kept the rival New York Mets from clinching home-field advantage in their first-round playoff series with a three-game sweep to begin the week. The future looked bright in the 3-0 finale win on Thursday, when rookie Jerad Eickhoff struck out 10 in seven innings and Darin Ruf clubbed a two-run homer. The Marlins are having a little more trouble sprinting to the finish and were swept in a three-game series at Tampa Bay to begin the week. Miami's Tom Koehler will face fellow veteran Aaron Harang in the opener while rookies Justin Nicolino and Alec Asher will battle in the nightcap.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Justin Nicolino (4-4, 4.16 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Alec Asher (0-5, 9.00)

Nicolino is coming off one of his best outings since joining the major-league team, holding Atlanta to one run and two hits in seven innings on Saturday. The 23-year-old did not strike out a batter in that start and has yet to fan more than four in an outing. Nicolino’s major-league high of four strikeouts came against Philadelphia on Aug. 22, when he yielded two runs and five hits in 7 2/3 innings without factoring in the decision.

Asher didn't get out of the blocks in his last outing, allowing five runs on three hits - including two homers - in just two-thirds of an inning in a no-decision versus the Mets. Asher, who will turn 24 on Sunday, has struggled mightily since joining Philadelphia, yielding 27 runs in as many innings while being taken deep on eight occasions. Asher's lone solid outing came versus Miami on Sept. 24, as he permitted just one run on three hits in a hard-luck 1-0 setback.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Marlins have reportedly interviewed Manny Acta and Bo Porter for their managerial job, which is expected to be open after the season.

2. Phillies 3B Maikel Franco (wrist) was activated from the disabled list and could play this weekend.

3. Miami 2B Dee Gordon needs two hits and four steals to mark the 13th 200-hit/60-steal campaign in MLB history.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Phillies 3