Philadelphia Phillies at Miami Marlins series primer
The Miami Marlins didn't start April how they wanted, but they sure did end on a high note to close out the first month of the season.
After opening 3-11, the Marlins have won seven of eight against the Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals and New York Mets to pull within 4 1/2 games in the National League East and tied for second with the Atlanta Braves. On the current nine-game homestand, Miami is 5-1.
The tide turned on April 22 in the second of three games in Philadelphia. The Marlins took two of three and have since captured their next two series.
Righty Tom Koehler opens the weekend hoping to feed off his last start in which he went 7 1/3 scoreless innings in a win over the Nationals at Marlins Park. Aside from a rough outing in New York, he has given up two runs or fewer in each of his first four starts. Righty Jerome Williams beat the Marlins on April 21 when he allowed three runs (two earned) over six frames. He has a quality start in three of his four appearances.
A pair of veterans will duel on Saturday. Righty Dan Haren's lone loss of the season came in Philadelphia when he surrendered a pair of two-run homers over six frames. All but one of his nine runs allowed have come via the long ball. Southpaw Cole Hamels, whose name continues to show up in trade rumors, has gone at least six innings in his last four starts but is 1-1 during that span. On April 22 against Miami, he got a no decision despite just one unearned run on five hits in six frames.
Earlier this week, right-hander Jarred Cosart tossed his best start in the big leagues, going eight scoreless with just two hits on 93 pitches against the Mets. Drafted by the Phillies in the 38th round, Cosart bested them on April 22 with six innings of one-run ball. Righty Severino Gonzalez's major-league debut didn't go as planned, surrendering seven runs on 10 hits with two walks and no strikeouts in 2 2/3.
Here's a look at the upcoming Phillies-Marlins three-game series:
SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHERS
WHO'S HOT
CF Odubel Herrera (Phillies): Herrera is batting .412 (7 for 17) with one run, one double and five RBI over the past five games. He has reached base safely in each of his last 15 games, something no other Philadelphia rookie has done in April since 1990, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Herrera has driven in a run in four straight.
2B Dee Gordon (Marlins): Gordon closed out the first month of the season with the highest batting average in Marlins history (.409), which also paces the majors. He collected a hit in all but three games with four consecutive multi-hit contests (11 total) to end April. Gordon also leads the big leagues in hits (38).
WHO'S NOT
2B Chase Utley (Phillies): Since April 15, Utley is just 3 for 45 (.067) with one run, five walks, six strikeouts and four RBI. The 13-year veteran has just one multi-hit game in 21 contests this season. He has gone hitless in 15 of them.
C J.T. Realmuto (Marlins): Over six games during the homestand, Realmuto is batting .174 (4 for 23) with three runs, a triple and an RBI. He does not have a multi-hit game since April 22 in Philadelphia and a walk since April 15 in Atlanta.
STORYLINES
1,298: Games played for Ryan Howard at first base, tying him with Fred Luderus for most in Phillies history
14: Losses in 35 starts for Cole Hamels against the Marlins. He is 9-14 with a 3.09 ERA.
97: Runs scored by the Marlins this season, tied for fourth in the NL
.520: All-time winning percentage for the Marlins against the Phillies at home (93-86 record)
QUOTE BOARD
"I was just telling him he rakes. It's the universal language. Ask him, he knows." -- Dee Gordon on his celebration for Ichiro Suzuki's homer on Wednesday
"We talked about this a lot last year. You can't always assume they're going to pitch around him and that they will make a mistake to him." -- Manager Mike Redmond on teams pitching to Giancarlo Stanton with a runner at third and less than two outs
"I didn't even get a chance to enjoy it. I thought two as soon as I hit it and then I came out of the box limping over to first and tried not to get thrown out. That's unfortunate. We'll take it day to day. I guess that's the whole process. If they don't have to amputate my leg it looks like I'll be out there for the fifth day." -- Right-hander Mat Latos on straining his left hamstring after a single on Wednesday
PROMOTIONS & GIVEAWAYS
May 1 -- Fireworks Friday; Happy Hour at the Budweiser Bow Tie Bar (pregame); Nurses Night; Superheroes Night supporting Special Olympics Florida - Miami Dade
May 2 -- Marlins Summer Concert Series featuring Jake Miller on the West Plaza; All You Can Eat Seats; Saturday Spectacular; University of Miami Family Day
May 3 -- Bob the Shark Sea Creatures Plush Doll courtesy of Avianca Airlines; Boy Scouts Day; Diamond Dash; Florida Keys Day; Pepsi 4-for-$74; Selfie Sunday; Sunday Funday
LOOKING AHEAD
The Marlins embark on a 10-game roadtrip that begins on Monday in Washington against the Nationals.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
