Phillies at Marlins
The Philadelphia Phillies planned on putting together a winning streak after sweeping a two-game series at Boston and looking ahead at the next six games against sub-.500 teams, but the Miami Marlins had different ideas. The Phillies will try to pick themselves up after an embarrassing loss and get back to the business of securing a wild card spot when they visit the Marlins again on Saturday.
Philadelphia allowed a total of four runs in two games against the defending champion and offensive powerhouse Red Sox earlier this week but could not manage to hold back offensively challenged Miami, which pounded out four homers among 19 hits in the 19-11 drubbing. The Phillies, who squandered leads of 7-0 and 9-7 in the setback, dropped 2 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the race for the second National League wild card. The Marlins are last in the NL in runs scored (475) and own the worst record in the league but snapped a six-game slide with Friday's victory while posting a season high in runs. Philadelphia starter Zach Eflin will try to give the bullpen a break and get things back on track Saturday while Miami attempts to keep the run support flowing for right-hander Jordan Yamamoto.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (7-11, 4.57 ERA) vs. Marlins Jordan Yamamoto (4-4, 4.31)
Eflin returned to the rotation last Saturday after two weeks in the bullpen and was knocked around for three runs on seven hits and a pair of walks in 3 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old yielded a total of 30 runs - 25 earned - in 19 1/3 innings over his last five starts. Eflin's last quality start came at Miami on June 29, when he allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings without factoring in the decision.
Yamamoto is trying to pull out of a slump and allowed two runs - both on solo home runs - over 5 2/3 innings without factoring in the decision at Colorado on Sunday. The 23-year-old is 0-4 with a 7.34 ERA over his last six starts and surrendered a total of 10 home runs in 30 2/3 innings over that span. Yamamoto made a pair of starts against Philadelphia in June and went 1-0 while allowing four earned runs in nine total innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Phillies RHP Juan Nicasio (shoulder soreness) left Friday's game and is day-to-day.
2. Miami RF Brian Anderson (hand contusion) was hit by a pitch on Friday and left the game after the third inning.
3. Philadelphia RF Bryce Harper was placed on the paternity list Friday and is expected to miss the rest of the series.