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Series Preview: Phillies at Marlins, 9/13-9/15


With Jimmy Rollins still out of the lineup, the Phillies will need to continue battling division rivals, with a playoff berth on the line, minus their former league MVP and multi-time All-star. Rollins traveled back to Philadelphia to visit team doctors for his injured right hamstring, while the Phillies (83-61) travel south to begin a 3-game series against the Marlins (73-69). Initially, Rollins was expected to return to the lineup after resting a few games, but when the injury did not subside, Rollins was scheduled to have his leg examined.

Philadelphia has posted a 13-4 record since being swept by Houston at home last month. The Phillies will try to continue their hot streak by sending Joe Blanton to the mound for game 1 of the series. Blanton, who missed the opening month of 2010, has improved lately (3-1 record, 3.67 ERA in 11 second half starts), after a poor start to his season (3-5 record, 6.41 ERA in 13 first half starts). Florida will counter with lefty Andrew Miller, who will be making his 4th start of the season.

Read on for details on the pitching match ups and plenty more analysis from the series.


Monday, 7:10pm. Joe Blanton (6-6, 5.15 ERA) vs. Andrew Miller (1-1, 6.16 ERA). In 7 career starts against the Marlins, Blanton has posted a 4-2 record with a 3.35 ERA. In his last 9 starts, Blanton is 3-0 with a 3.62 ERA. Dan Uggla is 3-for-17 (.176 avg) against Blanton is his career. Miller gave up 7 earned runs in 4 innings against the Phillies in his last start. In 11 career games against Philadelphia, Miller is 0-4 with a 6.42 ERA. Shane Victorino is 10-for-20 (.500 avg) with 4 doubles and 2 HR in his career against Miller.

Tuesday, 7:10pm. Cole Hamels (10-10, 3.06 ERA) vs. Adelbert Mendez (1-0, 0.00 ERA). Hamels' career ERA in September is 2.62. In 14 career starts against Florida, Hamels is 3-7 with a 3.92 ERA. In his last 4 road starts, Hamels has posted a 1-1 record with a 1.45 ERA. Mendez earned a win in his Major League debut last week, throwing 6 shut out innings against the Phils. In 40 minor league games this year, Mendez has a 5-5 record with 1 save and a 3.98 ERA.

Wednesday, 7:10pm. Roy Halladay (18-10, 2.44 ERA) vs. Alex Sanabia (4-2, 3.95 ERA). Halladay has a 3-2 record and a 1.98 ERA in 6 career starts against the Marlins. In his last 6 starts, Halladay has posted a 4-2 record and a 2.82 ERA. Dan Uggla is 6-for-16 (.375 avg) with 2 homers is his career against Halladay. Sanabia, a 22-year-old righty, is 3-1 with a 3.45 ERA over his last 5 starts. In 5 home games, Sanabia has a 4.43 ERA with a .290 batting avg. against.


Ryan Howard is batting .326 with 5 homers and 13 RBI in 11 games this month. In 11 August games, Howard batted .125 with 1 homer and 4 RBI.

In his career against Florida, Brad Lidge is 1-1 with 16 saves in 17 chances and a 2.01 ERA. In 23 games since the All-star break, Lidge has posted a 2.49 ERA and a .169 batting average against.

Jayson Werth is a .207 career hitter in 69 games against the Marlins. Werth is a combined 1-for-18 (.055 avg) against Andrew Miller, reliever Burke Badenhop and Adalberto Mendez.

In 65 games at home, Dan Uggla has posted a .245 batting average. His average in 74 road games is .311.

Rookie Mike Stanton is a .368 hitter in 9 games against the Phillies this season. Stanton, who is batting .251 overall this year, has posted just a .169 avg. in 35 home games this year.

Emilio Bonifacio is 14-for-29 (.483 avg) with 9 runs scored over the past week.

Phillies Team ERA- 3.78
Marlins Team ERA- 4.00

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