By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
MIAMI — As they play their 70th road game of the season, the Philadelphia Phillies (62-76) will go for their sixth series sweep of the season, behind veteran RHP Jeremy Hellickson, in opposition of RHP Andrew Cashner and the slumping Miami Marlins (68-71) Wednesday evening at Marlins Park.
Over the last 12 days, the Marlins are 2-10 (.167) and have been outscored 58-36 by their opponents. The Phillies have not fared much better, going 3-8 (.273) with a 52-31 run ratio in favor of their opposition.
A victory would give the Phillies their first series sweep of the Marlins in the Sunshine State since Sept. 13-15, 2010, at Sun Life Stadium. The Phillies are 32-37 on the road and 25-33 against National League East opponents this season.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (62-76) | Miami Marlins (68-71) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jeremy Hellickson | RHP | Andrew Cashner | ||
| (10-8, 3.88 ERA) | (4-11, 5.00 ERA) | ||||
Jeremy Hellickson — Age: 29;
- Last Start: Sept. 2, 2016, vs. ATL: ND, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO, HR
- Career vs. MIA: (2-1), 8 G, 8 GS, 48.0 IP, 40 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 12 BB, 33 SO, 6 HR, 3.00 ERA
Spanning four starts and 21 2/3 innings in his career at Marlins Park, Hellickson is 0-0 with a 2.49 ERA, 1.292 WHIP, 5.0 SO9 and 1.20 SO/W, allowing three home runs and six earned runs overall.
Hellickson has won six of his last eight decisions dating back to June 25 at Petco Park.
Andrew Cashner — Age: 29;
- Last Start: Sept. 2, 2016, at CLE: L, 5.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 6 SO,
- Career vs. PHI: (2-1), 10 G, 4 GS, 33.0 IP, 25 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 6 BB, 27 SO, 3 HR, 2.45 ERA
The series finale against the Phillies will be the Conroe, Texas, native's final start before he turns 30 years of age on Sunday, Sept. 11.
Cashner was acquired from the San Diego Padres on July 29. In 32 1/3 innings, six starts and one relief appearance since, he is 0-4 with a 5.57 ERA and an opposing slash of .298/.386/.468.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (62-76) | Miami Marlins (68-71) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | 2B | Dee Gordon | L |
| 2 | LF | Aaron Altherr | R | 2 | LF | Ichiro Suzuki | L |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | 3B | Martin Prado | R |
| 4 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R | 4 | CF | Christian Yelich | L |
| 5 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 5 | RF | Marcell Ozuna | R |
| 6 | C | A.J. Ellis | R | 6 | 1B | Justin Bour | L |
| 7 | 3B | Andres Blanco | S | 7 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R |
| 8 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R | 8 | SS | Adeiny Hechavarria | R |
| 9 | P | Jeremy Hellickson | R | 9 | P | Andrew Cashner | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Hellickson will take the mound for his 28th start of the season, his most since receiving 31 starting nods while with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013. He is on pace to finish 2016 with a career-high 32 starts.
The roof & operable wall will be closed for tonight's series finale between the @Phillies & @Marlins.
— Marlins Park (@MarlinsPark) September 7, 2016
- Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera is 4-6 with a home run and two RBIs in his career against Cashner. Overall, active members of the Phillies have a combined .294/.333/.412 career slash line against the right-hander.
Standings:
| Updated: Sept. 7, 2016 | |||||
| NL EAST | W | L | GB | RS | RA |
| Nationals | 81 | 57 | — | 661 | 519 |
| Mets | 73 | 66 | 8.5 | 546 | 529 |
| Marlins | 68 | 71 | 13.5 | 569 | 578 |
| Phillies | 62 | 76 | 19.0 | 510 | 657 |
| Braves | 54 | 85 | 27.5 | 536 | 682 |
| NL WILD CARD | W | L | GB | RS | RA |
| Giants | 74 | 64 | +0.5 | 606 | 550 |
| Cardinals | 73 | 64 | — | 679 | 598 |
| Mets | 73 | 66 | 1.0 | 546 | 529 |
| Pirates | 67 | 69 | 5.5 | 610 | 624 |
| Marlins | 68 | 71 | 6.0 | 569 | 578 |
| Rockies | 66 | 72 | 7.5 | 740 | 712 |
| Phillies | 62 | 76 | 11.5 | 510 | 657 |
What's Next:
- Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016: at Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.
- Nationals Park
- RHP Alec Asher (2015: 0-6, 9.31 ERA) vs. TBA
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Asher will make his first start of the season on Thursday as the Phillies head north to Washington to face the division-leading Nationals. Asher was suspended 80 games for a testosterone-related PED on June 16. The 24-year-old was acquired from the Texas Rangers organization last year in the LHP Cole Hamels and LHP Jake Diekman trade.
