Miami @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 27, 2014 ) Miami 6, St. Louis 4

The Miami Marlins are trying to ensure they’ll be in the race at the All-Star break, but a nine-game road trip looms as a tough test. The Marlins will attempt to get off to a strong start on that trek when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. The Cardinals are coming off a 5-5 road trip but exploded for seven runs in a win at San Francisco on Thursday, matching their total from the previous six games.

Miami was four games over .500 a month ago but steadily is losing ground and has dropped five of its last seven contests. Two of those losses were hung on normally reliable closer Steve Cishek, who was reached for two runs in the ninth inning on Thursday as the Marlins suffered a 5-4 home loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. St. Louis’ offensive problems appeared to be solved on Thursday, when they recorded 14 hits and scored runs in the first inning for the first time since June 18.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Nathan Eovaldi (5-3, 3.71 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (8-6, 3.38)

Eovaldi was lit up for five runs on eight hits and three walks in seven innings against Oakland on Saturday, marking the third time in four starts he allowed at least five runs. The 24-year-old issued three walks against the Athletics – his second-highest total of the season. Eovaldi has made one start against St. Louis since joining the Marlins and surrendered three runs over 6 2/3 frames in a no-decision on July 6, 2013.

Lynn had allowed a total of four runs in four starts before getting rocked for seven runs – six earned – on nine hits in two innings against Los Angeles on Saturday. The 27-year-old reportedly was dealing with a blister on his middle finger in that start and had trouble throwing off-speed pitches. Lynn is 2-0 despite a 5.79 ERA in four career games – two starts – against Miami.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals 3B Matt Carpenter is 9-for-15 over the last four games.

2. Miami CF Marcell Ozuna has hit safely in nine straight games, scoring a total of nine runs in that span.

3. St. Louis RHP Joe Kelly (hamstring) is expected to make two more rehab starts and return to the rotation after the All-Star break.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Marlins 3