Series Preview: Phillies at Marlins, 9/2-9/4

Just one week after a two-thirds of a three game series got washed out by Hurricane Irene, the Phillies (87-46) and Marlins (60-76) are scheduled to go head to head once again.

Since the poor weather that drenched the northeastern United States, the Phillies have flexed their muscles, recording their first four-game sweep at Cincinnati since 1916 and going 41 games above .500 for the second time in franchise history.

In the opener of this three-game set, the Phillies will send right-hander Roy Oswalt to the hill. Oswalt was charged with the loss in last Friday's match up with Florida, having given up 5 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Marlins will counter with newly recalled lefty Brad Hand, who will be making his first career appearance against Philadelphia.

Read ahead for more details on the pitching matchups and key stats from this series.

Friday, 7:10 PM. Roy Oswalt (6-8, 3.77 ERA) vs. Brad Hand (1-4, 4.08 ERA). In 16 career starts against the Marlins, Oswalt has posted a 6-5 record with a 3.96 ERA. Oswalt is 2-2 with a 3.71 ERA over his last 4 starts. In 6 starts for the Phillies last September, Oswalt went 4-0 with a 1.12 ERA. Hand will be making his return to the big leagues after posting a 1.90 ERA in 4 August starts with Double A Jacksonville. In 4 home starts this season, Hand is 1-3 with a 4.30 ERA.

Saturday, 7:10 PM. Cole Hamels (13-7, 2.58 ERA) vs. Ricky Nolasco (9-10, 4.34 ERA). Hamels has a 6-2 record with a 2.72 ERA in 12 road starts this season. Hamels has a 2-2 record with a 3.25 ERA in 8 career starts at Sun Life Stadium. In his last 6 starts, Hamels is 2-2 with a 2.16 ERA. Nolasco has a 0-2 record and a 10.47 ERA over his last 3 starts. In 15 home starts this season, Nolasco has a 3-4 record with a 3.88 ERA. Hunter Pence is 4-for-18 (.222 avg) with 3 HR in his career against Nolasco.

Sunday, 1:10 PM. Roy Halladay (16-5, 2.47 ERA) vs. Anibal Sanchez (7-7, 3.97 ERA). In 8 starts since the All-star break Halladay has a 5-2 record with a 2.53 ERA. Halladay is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 2 starts against the Marlins this season. Mike Stanton is 1-for-12 (.083 avg) in his career against Halladay. In 14 career starts against the Phillies Sanchez is 3-7 with a 5.67 ERA. Sanchez has won just 1 time in his last 14 starts.

Logan Morrison is a .280 hitter with a .929 OPS in 20 career games against the Phillies. Morrison is 4-for-10 with 2 doubles and a HR in his career against Roy Oswalt.

Mike Stanton's 31 homeruns are tied for second best in the National League. In 62 home games this season, Stanton has a .283 average with 13 HR and 35 RBI.

In 42 games since the All-star break, Gaby Sanchez has posted a .204 batting average.

Carlos Ruiz has posted a .324 batting average in 43 games since the end of June. In 9 games against the Marlins this season, Ruiz is batting .161.

In 55 relief appearances this season, batters are hitting just .112 against Antonio Bastardo. The lefty Bastardo has not allowed a run in 6 career appearances against the Marlins.

Chase Utley is a .303 career hitter with 24 HR and 89 RBI in 119 career games against the Marlins. Utley is batting .247 in 42 road games this season.

Phillies team ERA- 3.05
Marlins team ERA- 4.11

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