Miami Marlins

Miami Marlins vs. New York Yankees series primer

Published Jun. 15, 2015 11:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

For the first time since 2009, the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins meet this week for a home-and-home series.

The Yankees (34-28), tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for first in the American League East, snapped a three-game skid on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles after riding a seven-game winning streak. The Marlins (27-37) have captured five of seven series, but still find themselves fourth in the National League East. They took three of four from the Colorado Rockies this weekend.

Right-hander Tom Koehler opens the series on Monday night at Marlins Park looking to avenge his previous start. In Toronto, he surrendered six runs (five earned) on eight hits -- three homers --- over 6 2/3 innings of a loss. Since coming off the disabled list, righty Masahiro Tanaka has consecutive seven-inning outings of one-run ball with 15 strikeouts and no walks.

Two key figures in the offseason trade between the two organizations will start Tuesday's matchup. Righty David Phelps -- with the Yankees from 2012-14 -- pitched a career-high eight scoreless innings, scattering four hits with six strikeouts and a walk against the Rockies. Flamethrower Nathan Eovaldi -- with the Marlins from 2012-14 -- took the no decision in his last start versus the Washington Nationals, giving up three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and a walk in seven frames. He has allowed 88 hits in 69 2/3 frames.

When the series shifts to the Big Apple on Wednesday, rookie Jose Urena will look to build upon his best outings as a major leaguer. In back-to-back starts against the Rockies, he permitted two combined runs on nine hits with five strikeouts and two walks over 12 2/3 innings. Righty Michael Pineda went a season-low 4 1/3 innings at Baltimore, giving up six runs (five earned) with two strikeouts and two walks on 10 days' rest.

Right-hander Mat Latos will close out the series on Thursday against southpaw CC Sabathia. In his return from the DL, Latos looked like his old self, cruising through seven innings of one-run, four-hit ball. He struck out 11 batters for the first time since 2013 and walked two. Sabathia has failed to go six innings in two of his last three starts, including at Baltimore. He allowed four runs on eight hits -- two homers -- over five frames with three strikeouts and no walks.

Miami took two of three the last time the ballclubs matched up from June 19-21, 2009. The Marlins trail the all-time series, 9-11, but are 7-5 in South Florida.

Here's a look at the upcoming Yankees-Marlins four-game series:

SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHERS

WHO'S HOT

1B Mark Teixeira (Yankees): Teixeira, on a five-game hitting streak, is 8 for 17 (.471) with three runs, three doubles, two RBI, three walks and three strikeouts. He has multi-hit games in three of his last four. His average has gone from .237 to .256.

RF Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins): Stanton has homered nine times in his past 13 games, becoming the first NL player to blast at least 23 dingers in a 53-game span since 2007, per Stats LLC. During the Rockies series, he went 7 for 14 (.500) with three runs, two doubles, two dingers, eight RBI, three walks and just two strikeouts.

WHO'S NOT

SS Didi Gregorius (Yankees): Since June 7, Gregorius is 3 for 18 (.167) with three runs, one double, one RBI, one walk and four strikeouts. His .229 average is fourth lowest among qualifying big-league shortstops (second in the AL).

CF Marcell Ozuna (Marlins): Ozuna's 13-game hitting streak got snapped on Saturday. For the homestand, he is 2 for 14 with one RBI and one walk. He went hitless in four at-bats on Sunday, which included three strikeouts.

STORYLINES

1.000: Winning percentage for the Yankees when Stephen Drew homers this season. They have a 7-0 record. He is tied with Dustin Pedroia for second among major-league second basemen with nine long balls.

21: Homers for Brian McCann in 124 games against the Marlins during his time with the Atlanta Braves (2005-13), his second-most home runs against any ballclub. He also has 23 doubles, a triple and 85 RBI to go along with a .272 average.

42: Stolen bases for the Marlins, 10th in the majors (sixth in NL). Miami had just 58 steals in 2014.

.323: Average for Ichiro Suzuki in 65 at-bats against CC Sabathia. He has four doubles, a triple, three homers and seven RBI.

QUOTE BOARD

"It's a great team. It's the Yankees. But I'm excited about winning this series and trying to turn the page on that. We've got two here and then go to New York for two. We'll be ready. Hopefully we'll be healthy and we'll wait until tomorrow to see where Martin is." -- Manager Dan Jennings on the Yankees coming to town

"All in all, we won three of four games. I don't think we should really be hanging our heads after a tough loss like this against a good pitcher and pretty good team and lineup and just go from there. We face the Yankees. We can't be down tomorrow. It's a really good ballclub. Should be a fun series. Four games. We got to come out tomorrow same way we have. It's been much better." -- Right-hander Dan Haren on taking the Rockies series

"It's kind of upsetting for me, but (there are) things you can't control in this game and injuries are all part of the game." -- Martin Prado, who sprained his right shoulder, on likely missing the Yankees -- his former team

LOOKING AHEAD

The Marlins visit Yankee Stadium for two games before traveling to Cincinnati for a weekend series at Great American Ball Park.

You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.