Marlins at Phillies
The Miami Marlins may share the majors' worst record this season, but they have given the Philadelphia Phillies all they can handle in three of four meetings this season. With two wins and an extra-inning loss in that stretch, the Marlins look to get the better of the Phillies yet again on Friday when the National League East rivals continue their four-game series in Philadelphia.
Starlin Castro belted a two-run homer in the 10th inning of Miami's 3-1 series-opening win on Thursday to improve to 9-for-23 in his last six games. Neil Walker had two singles and a double to improve to 7-for-14 during his four-game hitting streak and 7-for-19 against Philadelphia this season. While the Marlins have won four of six to pull into a tie with Kansas City (8-17) for the worst mark in the majors, the Phillies struck out 13 times on Thursday en route to falling for the sixth time in eight outings. Cesar Hernandez had two of the club's four hits in the series opener to give him 21 in his last 15 games.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Urena (1-3, 5.74 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jerad Eickhoff (0-1, 3.60)
Urena finally found the win column on Saturday after allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits in six innings in a 9-3 victory against Washington. The 27-year-old Dominican deserved a better fate in his last encounter with Philadelphia, permitting one run while striking out seven in as many frames of a no-decision on April 14. Andrew McCutchen is for 4-for-11 while Rhys Hoskins is 2-for-13 against Urena, who owns a 3-4 mark with a 4.52 ERA in 15 career appearances (11 starts) with the Phillies.
Eickhoff pitched relatively well in his first start this season before surrendering three of his four runs in the sixth inning of a 4-1 setback at Colorado on Sunday. The 28-year-old allowed two of his four walks in that pivotal frame while making his second appearance after beginning the year on the 10-day injured list with a right lat strain. Eickhoff owns a 2-3 record with a 4.00 ERA in six career starts versus the Marlins, although Martin Prado is 5-for-16 against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. McCutchen is 6-for-17 with a homer, three RBIs and as many runs scored against Miami this season.
2. Marlins C Jorge Alfaro, who was traded from the Phillies in the offseason, has two hits in each of the three games versus his former team.
3. Philadelphia RF Bryce Harper is 1-for-15 with eight strikeouts in his last five games.