Series Preview: Philadelphia Phillies @ Miami Marlins May 20-22, Games 45-47

May 19, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) greets a young fan before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins snapped their seven-game losing streak on Sunday afternoon and were able to avoid a sweep to the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was the team’s first win of their nine-game homestand in six attempts.

The Marlins will have a chance to salvage their homestand and improve their embarrassing 6-16 mark at home in a three game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Marlins have sustained some success against the Phillies this season, going 4-5 against them this season.

The Marlins are hoping that seeing the Phillies pitching again can get their bats going. The Marlins dropped 14 runs on Roy Halladay and the Phillies the last time they faced off. Roy Halladay is currently on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.

Philadelphia Phillies @ Miami Marlins  May 20-22, Games 45-47

NL Eastern Division Standings

NL East

W

L

PCT

GB

HOME

AWAY

L10

STRK

 Braves

25

18

.581

–

12-5

13-13

5-5

W3

 Nationals

23

21

.523

2.5

12-9

11-12

4-6

L2

 Phillies

21

23

.477

4.5

11-12

10-11

5-5

W1

 Mets

17

24

.415

7.0

9-12

8-12

3-7

W1

 Marlins

12

32

.273

13.5

6-16

6-16

2-8

W1

Stadium: Marlins Park

Five-year Run PF*: N/A
Five-year HR PF*: N/A
Stadium Dimensions:
Left field line—340 ft.
Left-center field—384 ft.
Center field—416 ft.
Right-center field—392 ft.
Right field line—335 ft.

*Five-year regressed park factors provided by Patriot here

2013 Season Statistics

May 7, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Alex Sanabia (28) throws during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Monday, May 20th 2013: Cole Hamels, PHI vs. Alex Sanabia, MIA

Command has been a major issue for Hamels in 2013, as he has walked 27 batters in 56.2 innings of work. His BB/9IP sits at 2.31 for his career, but is 1.5 higher this season at 3.81. He is also allowing home runs at a higher rate, allowing 1.43 per nine innings pitched. Both of these are a concern for Hamels, as he is having the worst season of his career. Hamels has made two starts this season against the Marlins, pitching 12 innings, allowing just 8 hits, and striking out 11 against 3 walks.

Sanabia has dropped five straight decisions, and has given up an average of four runs and seven hits per game. He has just two more strikeouts than walks on the season and has given up 56 hits in 45 innings. That is not a good combination, which has led to a very bad ERA, which is more generous than his FIP. Overall, Sanabia has been a colossal failure in 2013 and needs to be taken out of the Marlins starting rotation A.S.A.P.

Tuesday, May 21st 2013: Tyler Cloyd, PHI vs. Jose Fernandez, MIA

Cloyd was the choice for the Phillies to replace Roy Halladayin the rotation while he recovers from his shoulder surgery. He pitched six innings last time out, allowing just three

May 16, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) throws during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

earned runs, but he walked three and only struck out four. Cloyd is not an ove, as his fastball averages around 86-87 MPH. He owns a career 4.58 ERA in over 39 major league innings.

Fernandez threw a career high 99 pitches last time out against the Cincinnati Reds. He tied his career high with 7 innings pitched, striking out five and walking three. Last time out against the Phillies, Fernandez had the best start of his young career. In seven innings, Jose struck out a career high nine hitters, while allowing just one hit and one walk. Fernandez has throw 13 innings against the Phillies this season and has allowed no runs on just three hits. He has struck out 14 Philly hitters and walked three. Safe to say Jose Fernandez owns the Philadelphia Phillies early on in his career

Wednesday, May 22nd 2013: Cliff Lee, PHI vs. Kevin Slowey, MIA

Cliff Lee continues to be one of the best pitchers in all of baseball in 2013. He has a 2.83 ERA and a 3.00 FIP in his first nine starts of the season. Lee has averaged over 7 innings a start in 2013, continuing to be one of the more durable pitchers in baseball. He has not faced the Marlins in 2013, but owns a 2.68 ERA in 53 2/3 innings.

Slowey will look to bounce back from his previous two starts, in which he has started to

May 17, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Kevin Slowey (45) reacts during the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

regress towards his career numbers. His ERA has shot up almost two full runs in the past two starts, in which surrendered 11 runs on 18 hits in just 7 2/3 inning of work. This comes after he had a dominant start against the Phillies, throwing seven shutout innings and allowing just two hits. He struck out seven that game and walked just two.

Bold Prediction: The Marlins are able to steal the series from the Phillies by taking the first two games. Jose Fernandez turns in another gem against the Phillies. The Marlins drop the finale as Lee throws a complete game shutout and Slowey once again runs into trouble.