Series Preview: Marlins at Phillies, Sept.10-12

A recent surge by the Phillies (69-71) has many people beginning to entertain how possible a wild card entry to the 2012 postseason could be for the team that has been below .500 for the majority of the season. Fresh off a weekend sweep of the Colorado Rockies and after having been victorious in 15 of their past 21 outings, the Phils have drawn within six games of a the second wild card lead.

This week, the Phillies host the division rival Marlins (63-78) in a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park. Miami is well out of playoff contention, holding down last place in the National league East division.

The two teams have split the six games played in Philadelphia so far this year.

Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and other key statistical information from this series.

Monday, 7:05 PM. Wade LeBlanc (2-3, 2.72 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (8-10, 3.96 ERA). In 2 career starts against the Phillies, LeBlanc has a 1-1 record with a 1.80 ERA. In 9 games on the road this season, the lefty LeBlanc has posted a 2-1 record with a 3.14 ERA. Kendrick has a 4-1 record with a 1.53 ERA in his last 5 starts. In 15 games at home this season, Kendrick has a 4-6 record with a 4.50 ERA.

Tuesday, 7:05 PM. Nathan Eovaldi (4-11, 4.44 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (9-7, 3.87 ERA). In 2 career starts against the Phillies, Eovaldi has a 0-2 record with a 4.50 ERA and a .326 batting average against. Eovaldi has a 2-2 record with a 7.02 ERA in his last 4 road starts. Juan Pierre is 3-for-5 with a triple against Eovaldi. In his last 4 starts, Halladay is 3-0 with a 4.15 ERA. Halladay is 5-3 with a 3.52 ERA in 10 home starts this season. Jose Reyes is 13-for-35 (.371 avg) in his career against Halladay.

Wednesday, 4:05 PM. Josh Johnson (8-11, 3.81 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (4-7, 3.50 ERA). In 12 road starts this year, Johnson is 2-6 with a 5.22 ERA. In 7 career games at Citizens Bank Park, Johnson has a 4-1 record with a 3.13 ERA. Pete Orr is 6-for-15 (.400 avg) in his career against Johnson. In 12 home starts this season, Lee has a 1-5 record with a 4.04 ERA. Lee is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA over his last 5 starts. Lee allowed 6 earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in his previous start this year against Miami, a loss back in June.

In 7 games against the Phillies this season, Greg Dobbs is batting .389 with with a HR and 2 RBI. In 239 career games at Citizens Bank Park, Dobbs has a .276 average with 13 HR.

Giancarlo Stanton is batting .243 in 9 September games. Stanton is a .234 hitter with 3 HR in 20 career games at Citizens Bank Park.

Marlins closer Steve Cishek has a 0.93 ERA in 11 career games against the Phillies. Carlos Ruiz is 1-for-7 (.143 avg) against Cishek.

Phils reliever Antonio Bastardo has a 6.57 ERA in 31 home games this year, compared to a 2.29 ERA in 24 road contests. Bastardo has a 7.71 ERA in 11 career games against the Marlins.

Ryan Howard is batting .191 against left-handed pitchers this year. Howard is hitless in 8 at bats against the Marlins this season. Howard batted .300 with 5 HR in 18 games against the Marlins last season.

Domonic Brown is batting .261 at home, compared to his .217 average on the road this season. Brown is batting just .179 against lefty pitchers.

Marlins runs scored since the All-Star break- 213 (25th in MLB)

Phillies runs scored since the All-Star break- 216 (23rd in MLB)
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