Miami @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 2, 2018 ) Miami 2, Philadelphia 5

The Philadelphia Phillies have been able to enjoy the comforts of home all season long, although the National League East leaders tested their fans' patience in that regard in Thursday's series-opening victory over the Miami Marlins. The Phillies attempt to improve on the best home record in the NL on Friday when they host the second of four games against division-rival Miami.

Philadelphia maintained its one-half game division lead and moved to 35-18 at Citizens Bank Park following Thursday's 5-2 comeback victory, notching its ninth win at home win in 11 tries courtesy of Maikel Franco's tiebreaking three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Prior to their four-run outburst in the final frame, the Phillies were limited to Rhys Hoskins' solo shot and four singles over the first eight innings. The Marlins remained in a tie for last place in the East with their third straight loss, unable to take advantage of Justin Bour's first hit in six contests - a two-run blast in the fourth inning. A bigger issue for Miami may be the back end of its bullpen, as new closer Kyle Barraclough has blown three straight save opportunities and surrendered 10 runs across his last four appearances spanning 3 1/3 innings.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), NBC 10 (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Trevor Richards (3-5, 4.06 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (7-8, 4.02)

Richards has been brilliant over his last three starts but has only one win to show for it, picking up his second straight no-decision Saturday versus Washington despite yielding only three hits over six scoreless innings. In those three outings, the 25-year-old rookie has permitted a total of one run on 10 hits while striking out 18 in 18 2/3 frames. Richards fired six scoreless innings against the Phillies to get the win July 14 but was roughed up for three runs across four frames in Philadelphia on April 8.

Velasquez has held the opposition to two runs or fewer in six straight outings, although he was fortunate to do so Saturday in Cincinnati when he allowed two runs on six hits and a season-high five walks in five frames. It was a rare bump in the road lately for the former second-round pick, who is 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA over his last eight turns. Velasquez yielded one run across six innings to beat Miami on April 7 to improve to 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA in seven starts against the Marlins.

WALK-OFFS

1. Franco's 18 extra-base hits versus the Marlins since the start of last season are the most by any player against Miami over that span.

2. Marlins 2B Starlin Castro is a career .333 hitter in 47 career games against the Phillies despite going 0-for-3 in the opener.

3. Hoskins has hit eight of his 22 homers in 13 games since the All-Star break.

PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Marlins 2