Philadelphia @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2018 ) Philadelphia 9, Miami 4

The Philadelphia Phillies responded to an offensive drought with six runs in the first two innings for a much-needed victory last time out and look to build off that effort when they visit the Miami Marlins on Wednesday for the rubber match of their three-game series. Carlos Santana launched his 21st homer in the opening frame to extend his hitting streak to seven games as Philadelphia posted a 9-4 victory on Tuesday.

The Phillies managed just one run in each of their previous three contests - all losses - but the victory pulled them within three games of first-place Atlanta in the National League East, with their next 13 encounters coming against teams under .500. Nick Pivetta, who has limited Miami to two runs with 16 strikeouts over 11 2/3 innings this season, gets the ball for Philadelphia in the series finale and the Marlins counter with prime prospect Sandy Alcantara. Miami, which sits last in the NL East, has dropped six of its last eight games after outhitting the Phillies 11-9 on Tuesday. J.T Realmuto is 12-for-30 with four homers and nine RBIs during his eight-game hitting streak after going deep twice on Tuesday to reach the 20-homer mark for the first time in his career.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (7-10, 4.66 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 1.80)

Pivetta is winless in his last four trips to the mound but limited two of his opponents to one run without being involved in the decision in either contest. The 25-year-old Canadian recorded his last win at Arizona on Aug. 7 as he worked six scoreless innings five days after allowing two runs over six frames in a no-decision against Miami. Realmuto is 4-for-9 with two doubles versus Pivetta, who is 2-1 with a 5.83 ERA in six career starts against the Marlins.

Alcantara returns to the majors for his second start of the season after permitting one run on three hits and five walks over five innings in a win over the New York Mets on June 29. The 22-year-old Dominican, who was acquired from St. Louis in the trade involving Marcell Ozuna last winter, registered 10 strikeouts in eight relief appearances for the Cardinals last year. Alcantara went 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA in 19 starts at Triple-A New Orleans this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami 2B Starlin Castro has recorded multiple hits in four of his last six games, going 10-for-24 with five RBIs during that stretch.

2. Philadelphia INF Asdrubal Cabrera has belted three homers in his last five games and is 13-for-38 over his past 10 contests.

3. The Marlins placed veteran 3B Martin Prado (abdomen) on the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Marlins 2