Miami @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2012 ) Miami 7, Philadelphia 9
The last time Florida Marlins ace Josh Johnson faced the Philadelphia Phillies, he tossed eight innings of one-run ball only to be outdueled by Kyle Kendrick. The Phillies are counting on left-hander Cliff Lee to upstage Johnson this time, as Philadelphia looks for a season-high seventh straight win and tries to continue its surge in the National League wild-card race. The Phillies are back to .500 for the first time since June 4, having won six straight and 10 of 12 to get within four games of the second wild card.
Johnson was rocked for six runs in 3 2/3 innings in his first start against Philadelphia this season, a 7-1 loss on April 11, but he has allowed just two runs in 14 innings over his last two outings against the Phillies. The season series is even at seven games apiece. The teams play one more three-game series in Miami from Sept. 28-30, the next-to-last series of the season.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida, CSN Philly
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Josh Johnson (8-11, 3.81 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cliff Lee (4-7, 3.50)
Johnson snapped a personal four-decision skid in his last outing, holding Milwaukee to two runs over seven innings for his first win since Aug. 3. The losing streak was hardly his fault, though, as he has recorded quality starts in six of his last seven outings. Johnson is 6-5 with a 3.33 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) against Philadelphia.
Lee is headed toward his lowest win total since he won five games in 2007, but he has turned things around lately. He has posted five straight quality starts and won his last two decisions. His only outing against Miami this season was a disaster, as he allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings in a loss June 29, but he is 2-1 with a 3.40 ERA in six starts against the Marlins.
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia has won 20 of its last 28 games at Citizens Bank Park to even its home record at 37-37.
2. Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins took over the team lead in homers (18) and C Carlos Ruiz claimed the team lead in RBIs (60). Both surpassed Hunter Pence, who was traded to San Francisco on July 31.
3. Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton, who hit his team-leading 34th home run Tuesday, has homered in seven of his last eight road games.