The Phillies will be without one of their top sluggers in the opening game of this three-game series in South Florida.
Philadelphia Phillies at Florida Marlins
Philadelphia continues to be bit by the injury bug, as All-Star first baseman Ryan Howard has traveled back home to have his left ankle examined by the team physician. “It’s just swollen. It’s tight, sore. Other than that, it’s not too, too bad,” Howard said. The Phillies are already without the services of second baseman Chase Utley and outfielder Shane Victorino. The club has earned an even 4-4 record in its first eight meetings with the Marlins, but took two out of three at Sun Life Stadium in May. The Phillies are 11-3 in their last 14 games in Miami. Philadelphia enjoyed an off day on Monday and looks to even up its record in this situation, as the team is 5-6 this season after receiving a day off (-290). The Phillies are 34-24 after a day of rest the last three seasons overall (+660).
Continue reading “Tuesday MLB Preview – Phillies at Marlins”
Florida took game one of this three-game series against the first-place Padres, 4-2, at Petco Park. The club had dropped five of its first six games against San Diego this season, but they have won 10 of 13 at today’s venue. Since going 2-7 against the Friars in 2000, the Fish have tallied a winning 32-29 mark against them. It marked the 12th win in their last 18 games, as they continue a seven-game road trip (3-2) tonight. The Marlins are 32-39 against right-handed starters (-630) compared to 20-12 versus lefties this season. On the season, Florida has gone 15-18 versus NL West clubs and have gone 205-318 against Western foes in their 18 years in the league. Playing on Saturdays has been a bit problematic for the young club, posting a 6-11 record this season (-690), but they are 34-32 over the last three years.
Atlanta used an eight-run eighth inning to capture a 10-5 win over Florida at Sun Life Stadium on Friday night. “I can’t explain this ballgame,” manager Bobby Cox said. “It’s hard enough to explain Friday night. It’s baseball.” The Braves are now 5-3 against the Marlins this season and moved their record to 18-16 against divisional opponents (-100). The total is 11-20 O/U in their games against the NL East in 2010 and 76-93 O/U the last three years. With today’s game being a rubber match, it’s important to note that the club is 16-1-4 in its last 21 series dating back to May 10. Rookie outfielder Jason Heyward continues to lead the chase for NL Rookie of the Year, hitting .387 since being made active from the disabled list on July 15. He went 3-for-3 with two walks and two runs last night. Atlanta has averaged 5.7 runs per game and hit for a .277 combined average in compiling an impressive 20-12 daytime record (+760).
Colorado avoided being swept in its first series since the All-Star break, with a 1-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park. It was the pitching staff’s 10th shutout of the season, which is strange for a club that had never talled more than eight in a year. Sunday’s result still didn’t cure the Rockies offensive woes on the road, as the team has the second-worst road average (.231) in the Majors behind only the Toronto Blue Jays. In fact, the team has failed to score more than three runs in three straight games for just the fourth time this season. Colorado is 5-1 in its last six games as a road favorite, with the team being a perfect 5-0 in that spot with tonight’s starter on the hill.
