Series Preview: Marlins at Phillies, May 2-5

The Phillies (12-16) are set to kick off a four-game series as host to the Marlins (8-20). The series marks the returns of Phils Gold Glove Award winner Placido Polanco and speedster Juan Pierre to Philadelphia for the first time since each man parted ways via free agency.

The Phillies have won nine of their last 12 meetings with the Marlins. Additionally, the Phils were victorious in six of nine games against Miami at Philly's Citizens Bank Park last season.

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

Thursday, 7:05 PM. Alex Sanabia (2-3, 4.85 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (2-1, 2.41 ERA). Sanabia, a 24-year-old righty, allowed one earned run in six innings pitched in his lone career start against the Phillies in 2011. In 13 career road outings, Sanabia has a 4-1 record along with a 3.32 ERA. In three home starts this year, Kendrick is 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA. In 19 career games against Miami, Kendrick has a 10-2 record with a 3.71 ERA, including 7-0 in his last nine starts against them. Greg Dobbs is 1-for-12 (.083 avg) in his career against Kendrick.

Friday, 7:05 PM. Ricky Nolasco (2-2, 3.82 ERA) vs. Jonathan Pettibone (1-0, 4.35 ERA). Nolasco has an 8-5 record with a 3.73 ERA in 19 career games against the Phils. In three road starts this season, the right-handed Nolasco has a 1-1 record with a 3.86 ERA. Domonic Brown is 5-for-9 with a double and a triple against Nolasco in his career. Pettibone was the Phillies' 3rd round draft choice in 2008. In his lone home starts, Pettibone allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings, earning a no decision, against the Pirates on April 22nd.

Saturday, 7:05 PM. Jose Fernandez (0-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (1-3, 4.78 ERA). The rookie right-hander, Fernandez, is 0-2 with a 6.43 ERA in three road starts this year. Fernandez threw six scoreless innings against the Phillies on April 13th and did not earn a decision in that outing. In three home starts this season, Hamels has a 0-2 record with a 5.66 ERA. Hamels has a 3.29 ERA in 25 career starts against the Marlins.

Sunday, 2:35 PM. Kevin Slowey (0-2, 2.15 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (2-3, 6.75 ERA). Slowey has a 10.29 ERA in two career starts against the Phils. Slowey, a right-hander, has a 5.10 ERA in 41 career day games. In three home starts this season, Halladay is 1-1 with a 5.29 ERA. Greg Dobbs is 9-for-21 (.429 avg) with three doubles and a homer in his career against Halladay.

Placido Polanco is a .296 career hitter against the Phillies. Polanco is a .310 hitter in 267 career games at Citizens Bank Park.

Juan Pierre posted a .234 average in 69 games at Citizens Bank Park last season. Pierre is batting .105 with runners in scoring position this year.

Veteran reliever Chad Qualls has a 7.94 ERA in 36 career games at Citizens Bank Park. Qualls has a 2.77 ERA in 11 appearances this season.

Carlos Ruiz is a .270 hitter with six home runs and 34 RBI in 85 career games against the Marlins. Ruiz batted .368 with runners in scoring position last year.

Chase Utley is batting .320 with two homers and seven RBI in 14 home games this season. Utley's 96 career RBI against the Marlins are his most against any team.

Domonic Brown is 9-for-27 (.333 avg) in his last seven games. In 91 career games at Citizens Bank Park, Brown has a .225 batting average.

Marlins team OPS- .601 (30th/last in MLB)
Phillies team OPS- .679 (26th in MLB)

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