Philadelphia @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2018 ) Miami 3, Philadelphia 5

The Philadelphia Phillies are scuffling mightily at the plate with just four runs in their last three contests to put a crimp in their aspiring postseason plans. The Phillies look to get back on track Monday afternoon in the opener of a three-game series at the Miami Marlins, against whom they erupted for 23 runs in a four-game sweep at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 2-5.

Jorge Alfaro, who is a robust 13-for-34 with two homers versus the Marlins this season, is riding an eight-game hitting streak and had an RBI double in the ninth inning in Sunday's 8-1 setback to the Chicago Cubs. The Phillies open a stretch of 19 consecutive contests versus National League East teams on Monday, a run that culminates on Sept. 20-23 with a four-game series at a first-place Atlanta club that holds a four-game lead over Philadelphia. Cellar-dwelling Miami resides at the other end of the spectrum with losses in five of six overall and eight of 13 versus the Phillies this season. "We are going to be playing teams that are contending for the postseason. I hope we start a winning streak," Marlins infielder Martin Prado told reporters after Sunday's 6-1 setback to Toronto.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (9-9, 4.05 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Urena (4-12, 4.56)

Velasquez, who will be pitching on extra rest after he had his next start pushed back, evened his record after allowing two runs on three hits in five innings of an 8-3 win at Toronto last Sunday. The 26-year-old has dominated Miami in a pair of starts this season, winning both contests after permitting a total of one run on six hits in 12 1/3 frames. Velasquez owns a 3.02 ERA on the road, but only has a 3-4 mark to show for it.

Urena looks to take the first step in improving upon a disastrous 1-9 record at home when he faces Philadelphia, against which he is 0-2 in three starts this season after yielded 13 runs on 19 hits -- including four homers -- in a 16 innings. Odubel Herrera is 5-for-13 against the 26-year-old Dominican, but the hurler has handcuffed Rhys Hoskins (0-for-8, six strikeouts) and Asdrubal Cabrera (3-for-19). Urena returns to the mound after allowing four runs in six innings of a no-decision at Boston on Tuesday.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera has 10 hits and five runs scored in his last eight contests.

2. Miami OF Rafael Ortega collected a multi-hit performance for the third time during his four-game hitting streak and also scored a run Sunday.

3. Phillies 3B Maikel Franco, who has five homers versus the Marlins this season, is 0-for-13 in his last five contests overall.

PREDICTION: Marlins 4, Phillies 2