Series Preview: Phillies at Marlins, April 12-14

On Friday, the Marlins will attempt to turn around their troublesome start to the 2013 season, as they host the division rival Phillies for a three-game set at Miami's Marlins Park. Through three series, the Marlins have won only once and they've gone scoreless in four of nine contests.

The Phillies lost each of their first two series this season, but locked down two wins against the Mets this week to notch their first winning set of the year.

In the series opener, lefty John Lannan will make his second start for the Phillies after he allowed three earned runs over seven innings in his season debut against the Royals for a no decision. Miami will counter with Ricky Nolasco, who has posted a 5.40 ERA in his last four outings against the Phils.

Last season, the Phillies won 10 of 18 meetings with the Marlins, including six of nine in Miami. Read ahead for full details on the pitching match ups and more for this series.

Friday, 7:10 PM. John Lannan (0-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. Ricky Nolasco (0-1, 3.97 ERA). In 11 starts against the Marlins, Lannan has a 3-5 record along with a 5.04 ERA. Placido Polanco is 7-for-17 (.412 avg) in his career against Lannan. Nolasco is 8-5 with a 3.86 ERA in 18 career games (15 starts) against the Phillies. Chase Utley is 11-for-35 (.314 avg) with a homer and six RBI in his career against he righty Nolasco.

Jose Fernandez with Greensboro in 2012

Saturday, 7:10 PM. Cole Hamels (0-2, 10.97 ERA) vs. Jose Fernandez (0-0, 1.80 ERA). In 24 career starts against the Marlins, Hamels has an 8-10 record along with a 3.36 ERA and a .234 batting average against. Chris Coghlan is 7-for-21 (.333 avg) with two home runs in his carer against Hamels. The rookie right-hander Fernandez was the Marlins' 1st round draft selection in 2011. The 20-year-old began last season with Greensboro and became an All-Star in the Class A South Atlantic League.

Sunday, 1:10 PM. Roy Halladay (0-2, 14.73 ERA) vs. Kevin Slowey (0-2, 2.19 ERA). In 14 career starts against the Marlins, Halladay has a 7-4 record with a 3.09 ERA. Halladay posted a 4.62 ERA in four starts against the Marlins last season. Greg Dobbs is 8-for-18 (.444 avg) with a homer in his career against Halladay. Slowey, a right-hander, allowed seven earned run in 1 2/3 innings in his lone career appearance against the Phils in 2010. Slowey, a former 2nd round draft pick of the Twins (2005) has a 4.61 ERA in his career.

Michael Young's .375 batting average is tops on the Phillies. After starting the season 1-for-9, Young is 11-for-23 (.478 avg). Young has a .294 batting average in 15 career games against Miami.

In 10 career outings against the Marlins, Jonathan Papelbon has seven saves and a 0.82 ERA.

Jimmy Rollins is a career .292 hitter with 23 HR, 111 RBI and 49 steals in 202 games against the Marlins. In 78 road games last season, Rollins posted a .235 batting average.

In 98 career games against the Phillies, Juan Pierre has a .310 average and 40 stolen bases. Pierre is 7-for-35 (.200 avg) thus far in 2013.

Marlins reliever Steve Cishek has a 1-0 record with one save and a 0.84 ERA in 12 career outings against the Phils. The right-hander was a 5th round pick by the Marlins in 2007.

Through nine games, All-Star Giancarlo Stanton is batting .167. Stanton is a .266 hitter with 11 home runs and 22 RBI in 45 games against the Phillies.

Phillies runs scored this season- 42 (16th in MLB)
Marlins runs scored this season- 16 (last in MLB)

Phillies team ERA this season- 6.04 (last in MLB)
Marlins team ERA this season- 4.36 (19th in MLB)

Sunday School: Phillies History Lesson 73

Danny Ozark was the Phillies' manager from 1973-1979. During his tenure as the team's general, Ozark led Philadelphia to three straight division titles. In his playing days, Ozark was a first baseman, who was a career minor leaguer in the Dodgers system. When Ozark took over the team in 1973, the Phillies were fresh off 5 consecutive losing seasons and 3 straight last place finishes. During his first season in charge, the Phillies would again finish in last place, 20 games under .500, but as his core of young talent, like Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, developed, the Phillies' win totals rose. Within 2 years, the Phillies were above .500 and in the playoff hunt until late in the season and the most successful era of Phillies history was about to begin. By 1976, the Phillies were headed to the post-season for the first time since 1950. The Phils would enjoy a 10-game lead over their nearest division rival at the midway point of the season. Despite a lul, which saw their lead d...

PhoulBallz Interview: First round pick Bryson Stott

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Velasquez shut down, Eflin on deck?

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