Phillies tab Alec Asher for 10th career start, eye sweep of Marlins

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Phillies (67-82) rookie right-hander Alec Asher will take the mound for his 10th career start in the series finale against the Miami Marlins (73-75) Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

Asher, 24, will oppose seven-year veteran RHP Andrew Cashner, who is 1-4 with a 6.13 ERA through 39 2/3 innings since joining Miami via trade on July 29. The matchup will be Asher's third career appearance against the Marlins and Cashner's third start of the season against the Phillies (sixth overall).

The Marlins began the series four games back for the second spot in the National League Wild Card race, however they now trail by six games due to a pair of Phillies' victories Friday and Saturday night, 4-3 and 8-0 respectively.

In the finale, the Phillies will go for their sixth series sweep, as well as to even their Sunday win-loss record to 12-12 on the season.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Andrew Cashner — Age: 30;

• Last Start: Sept. 12, 2016, at ATL: ND, 2.0 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, HR
• Career vs. PHI: (3-1), 11 G, 5 GS, 38.1 IP, 29 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 8 BB, 36 SO, 3 HR, 2.11 ERA

Cashner is 1-0 with a 3.29 ERA and 1.024 WHIP ratio through 13 2/3 career innings at Citizens Bank Park. Over his last seven starts, the Marlins have fallen in six of them with the only victory coming Sept. 7 against the Phillies at Marlins Park.

Alec Asher — Age: 24;

• Last Start: Sept. 13, 2016, vs. PIT: ND, 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO
• Career vs. MIA: (0-2), 2 G, 2 GS, 9.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 5 SO, 4.00 ERA

Since making his season debut on Sept. 8 — coming off of an 80-game PED suspension — Asher has lowered his career ERA from 9.31 to 6.97 with two solid starts against the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 1:35 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• During RHP Jeremy Hellickson's complete game shutout last night, the Phillies secured their seventh consecutive winning season against the Marlins dating back to 2010. They were 9-9 against the Marlins in 2009.
• First baseman Ryan Howard remains day-to-day with fluid buildup and soreness in his left knee. Since August 18, he is batting .176/.263/.431 with four singles, one double, four home runs, six walks, nine RBIs and 23 strikeouts through 57 plate appearances.
• After Sunday's matinee, only five home games remain on the Phillies' 2016 schedule: Sept. 20-21 against the White Sox and Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 against the division-rival New York Mets, who figure to clinch one of the two National League Wild Card spots.
• Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco has not homered since August 18 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since then, he is batting .244/.269/.311 with 16 singles, six doubles, six RBIs and three walks spanning 93 plate appearances.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016: vs. Miami Marlins, 7:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
  
• RHP James Shields (5-17, 5.84 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Thompson (2-5, 5.64 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP