Philadelphia @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2018 ) Philadelphia 2, Miami 0

The Philadelphia Phillies look to win another series and continue their hot streak into the All-Star break when they visit the Miami Marlins for the middle contest of a three-game set Saturday afternoon. The Phillies maintained their lead atop the National League East with a 2-0 victory in Friday’s game and can improve to 9-1-1 in 11 series with All-Star right-hander Aaron Nola taking the mound.

Nola goes for his fifth victory in as many starts Saturday as Philadelphia attempts to even its record against NL East foes at 19-19, and third baseman Maikel Franco hopes to keep his power surge going after belting his third homer in six games Friday. The Phillies, who are 6-3 with two contests left on their road trip, lead the East by 1 1/2 games over Atlanta and will face Miami rookie right-hander Trevor Richards on Saturday. The Marlins had scored 23 runs while going 3-1 in the previous four games before managing just three hits in Friday’s setback, getting shut out for the third time this year by Philadelphia and falling back into the division cellar. All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto, who is batting .312 with 12 homers, 20 doubles and 44 RBIs, returned to the lineup Friday after spending time in the paternity list and went 0-for-4.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (12-2, 2.27 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Trevor Richards (2-5, 5.24)

Nola gave up one hit over seven scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts on Monday against the New York Mets to win his fourth straight start and sixth decision in a row. The 25-year-old LSU product has given up four runs on 17 hits across 27 2/3 innings with 32 strikeouts and eight walks in his last four outings. Nola tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings to beat Miami on May 2 and improve to 3-3 with a 3.88 ERA lifetime against the Marlins.

Richards struggled with control at Washington last Sunday, walking a season-high seven over 3 2/3 innings of an eventual 10-2 triumph for the Marlins. The 25-year-old rookie managed to complete six innings just twice in his past nine turns, winning both of those outings. Odubel Herrera is 2-for-2 with a double versus Richards, who gave up three runs and six hits over four innings in a no-decision with the Phillies on April 8 in his second major-league start.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami OF/3B Brian Anderson has 22 doubles, second only to MIke Jacobs (24, 2006) all-time among Marlins rookies before the All-Star break.

2. The Phillies have registered at least one extra-base hit in 89 straight contests - the fourth-longest streak in franchise history.

3. Marlins 2B Starlin Castro is batting .360 in July despite going 0-for-4 on Friday and is 6-for-20 against the Phillies in 2018.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Marlins 1