Series Preview: Marlins at Phillies, June 1-3

Fresh off a successful 5-2 road trip, the Phillies (27-25) return home to host the Marlins (29-22) for a 3-game set at Citizens Bank Park. The rivalry between the two clubs has been considerably one-sided recently, with the Phils coming away victorious in 8 of their past 10 series against Miami.

While the Phillies are in last place in the National League's East division, they sit only 2 1/2 games behind the second place Marlins and 3 games behind the first place Nationals.

Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and loads more statistical information on this series.

Friday, 7:05PM. Mark Buehrle (5-4, 3.26 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (1-4, 4.10 ERA). In 4 career starts against the Phillies, Buehrle has a 3-1 record with a 4.88 ERA and a .294 batting average against. In his last 5 starts, the left-handed Buehrle is 4-0 with a 3.19 ERA. Hector Luna is 5-for-5 in his career against Buehrle. Kendrick is 0-3 with a 5.28 ERA in 4 home games this season. Kendrick threw a complete game shutout in his last appearance against St. Louis. Gaby Sanchez is 8-for-18 (.444 avg) with a double and a HR in his career against Kendrick.

Saturday, 4:05 PM. Ricky Nolasco (5-3, 4.26 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (8-1, 2.43 ERA). In 15 career games against the Phillies, Nolasco has a 6-4 record with a 3.55 ERA. Nolasco is 1-3 with a 7.06 ERA in his last 4 starts. Shane Victorino is 4-for-29 (.138 avg) in his career against Nolasco. Hamels has a 4-1 record with a 2.36 ERA in 5 home starts this season. In his last 9 starts, Hamels is 8-0 with a 2.22 ERA.

Sunday, 1:35 PM. Carlos Zambrano (3-3, 3.00 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (4-5, 5.05 ERA). Zambrano has a 4-4 record with a 4.26 ERA in 10 career games against the Phillies. Zambrano has a 1.75 ERA in 5 road starts this season. In 5 home starts this season, Blanton has a 3-1 record with a 3.90 ERA. In his last 3 starts, Blanton is 0-2 with a 10.26 ERA. Chris Coghlan is 7-for-14 (.500 avg) in his career against Blanton.

In 10 road games this season, Coghlan has posted a .105 batting average, while he is batting .134 overall in 30 games. Coghlan is a .322 hitter in 32 career games against the Phillies.

Heath Bell is 1-1 with 5 saves, 0 blown saves and a 3.77 ERA in 13 career games at Citizens Bank Park.

In 28 May games, Logan Morrison posted a .176 batting average. Morrison has a .275/.377/.529 line in 15 career games at Citizens Bank Park.

Jonathan Papelbon has a 4.09 ERA in 11 home games this season.

In 22 home games this year, Juan Pierre has posted a .222 batting average, which is drastically different than his .402 batting average in 23 road games. Pierre, a former Marlin, is a .290 hitter in 40 career games against Miami.

John Mayberry Jr.'s OPS is 200 points higher at home this year than it is on the road (.720/.520). Mayberry Jr. is a .314 hitter in 19 career games against Miami.

Marlins team batting average for May- .260 (6th in the National League)
Phillies team batting average for May- .282 (3rd in the National League)
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