Miami @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2013 ) Miami 2, Philadelphia 12

There are many reasons why the Philadelphia Phillies are heading toward their first losing season since 2002, but one need look no further than Tuesday's starting pitcher against the visiting Miami Marlins. Roy Halladay missed more than 3 1/2 months after undergoing shoulder surgery and has been a shell of his former self in four starts since returning. The two-time Cy Young Award winner takes the mound for the second contest of a three-game series versus the Marlins on Tuesday.

Halladay has recent history on his side in his bid to reverse his slide - the Phillies have beaten Miami six consecutive times following Monday's 12-2 drubbing. Miami, the only major-league team that has yet to score 500 runs, has dropped three straight games and managed only three runs during that span. Not only is scoring a problem for the Marlins, who have dropped nine of their last 11, but they have struck out 28 times in the last two contests.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Brian Flynn (0-1, 10.13 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Roy Halladay (3-4, 7.28)

Flynn has made two starts in his major-league career, and this could be his last of the season if he doesn't improve. The 23-year-old was knocked around for six runs on six hits and six walks in four innings against Atlanta last time out and also went four frames in his major-league debut, allowing three runs to the Chicago Cubs. He has given up three homers and walked nine in eight innings.

Halladay had not walked more than 39 batters for five consecutive seasons, but he already has issued 31 free passes in only 55 2/3 innings - including back-to-back outings with five bases on balls. He received his third straight no-decision last time out, giving up five runs (four earned) in only 4 1/3 frames. It marked the fifth time in 11 starts this year Halladay has failed to get through five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies 2B Chase Utley hit his 17th homer Monday, the most he's had since belting 31 in 2009.

2. Marlins 2B Donovan Solano went 0-for-4 in the series opener, ending his six-game hitting streak. He has hit safely in 11 of his last 13.

3. Philadelphia SS Jimmy Rollins is one homer shy of becoming the 19th player to have 400 doubles, 100 triples and 200 home runs.

PREDICTION: Philles 7, Marlins 4