Marlins Surging
While the Philadelphia Phillies are now looking up in the NL East standings, they also have their eye on the surprising Florida Marlins, whose late-season surge has put them back into playoff contention.
The Phillies try to move back into first place in the division Saturday, when they continue a three-game road series against the Marlins, who look to extend a franchise-high winning streak to 10 games.
Oddsmakers from SBG Global have made Philadelphia -130 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for tonight’s game, the over/under has been set at 9.5 total runs (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 44% of bets for this game have been placed on Philadelphia -130 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
Florida (81-72) won its ninth straight Friday, 14-8 to drop the Phillies (86-68) one-half game behind the Mets in the NL East. The Phillies had won seven straight entering the series, but starter Brett Myers struggled, giving up five runs in the first 17 pitches before retiring a batter.
Philadelphia has a two-game lead in the NL wild-card race over Milwaukee, but Florida’s winning streak has moved the Marlins within 4 1/2 games of the wild-card leaders.
"They can still win," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "Stranger things have happened. It’s up to us to make sure we get them."
Friday was the third time during the winning streak the Marlins scored at least 10 runs. They have averaged 8.0 runs during the stretch and are receiving an unexpected contribution from rookie Cameron Maybin, who had four hits for the second game in a row Friday, tying a franchise record by reaching base in 10 consecutive appearances.
Maybin, recalled from the minors on Tuesday, singled in his first four at-bats Friday. He popped out in the eighth to drop his average to .818 (9-for-11) in three games.
"He looks like he has been in the league 10 years," teammate Alfredo Amezaga said.
Mike Jacobs added four RBIs on Friday while Amezaga and Dan Uggla each drove in three runs.
The Phillies had allowed more than three runs just once during their winning streak. They fell to 6-10 against Florida this year, including 2-5 at Dolphin Stadium.
"We can score on them, but we have trouble holding them," Manuel said.
Joe Blanton (2-0, 4.53 ERA) tries to help the Phillies bounce back Saturday as he takes the mound following one of his longest starts since joining the team on July 17 in a trade with Oakland.
Blanton pitched seven innings against Milwaukee on Sunday, allowing three runs and five hits in a 7-3 victory. He did not factor in the decision, but made it past the sixth inning for just the third time in 11 starts with the Phillies.
The right-hander pitched five innings against the Marlins on Sept. 8 in his only start against them. He allowed four runs and five hits to get credit for a 8-6 win.
Anibal Sanchez (2-4, 5.87) started in that game for Florida, lasting only 1 2-3 innings after giving up five runs and five hits. He is coming off his best start of the season, however.
Sanchez matched a season high with seven innings on Sunday against Washington, allowing three runs and not getting a decision in an 8-7 win. He was 0-2 with a 10.69 ERA in his previous four starts.
The right-hander is 0-3 with a 10.69 ERA in four career starts against the Phillies – all in Philadelphia. This is his third time facing them this season.
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