Offense has not been easy to come by in the first two games of this series between the Phillies (69-79) and the Miami Marlins (71-79). Two nights ago, Cole Hamels and Henderson Alvarez were locked into a pitchers duel throughout the majority of the evening. Neither pitcher factored into the decision though, as the Phillies won 3-1 in ten innings thanks to a walk-off, two-run homer from Cody Asche. Yesterday, Kyle Kendrick made what was likely his final start in Philadelphia against Brad Hand of the Marlins. A free agent next year, Kendrick pitched well all night, holding the fish to one run on seven hits over 6.1 innings. The only offense support he needed came in the first inning thanks to an RBI single from Maikel Franco and an RBI double off the bat of Marlon Byrd. Besides a solo homer, the Marlins were unable to produce any offense against Kendrick, Diekman, Giles and Papelbon. Today, in the series finale, David Buchanan looks to continue his bid for a 2015 rotation spot while the Marlins will send Tom Koehler to the mound.
Though David Buchanan (6-7, 3.90) may not have the most overpowering stuff in his arsenal, there is no doubting that he does keep the Phillies in games. To put that in perspective, the Phillies rookie starter has not allowed more than three earned runs in a start since June 8th, when he allowed four against the Reds. Buchanan has faced the Marlins once earlier this season, picking up a 'W' after tossing five innings, holding Miami to two runs. In ten innings pitched this month, he has allowed three earned runs, good for an ERA of 2.70. Since July 5th, the 25-year-old righty has posted a 2.92 ERA over nine starts. His last time out, he gave up three runs, two earned, against the Pirates in the Phillies only win over Pittsburgh in that four-game series.
The Marlins will go with Tom Koehler (9-9, 3.74) in the series finale. In just his third season in the bigs, Koehler has been a serviceable starter for Miami, going 14-20 with a 4.10 ERA in his career. This season, he has 173 innings pitched, which is 30 innings higher than what he threw last year with the Marlins. Though he has experience mixed results most of the season, like Buchanan, Koehler has the ability to consistently keep the Marlins in games, giving up three earned runs or less in 10 of his last 11 starts. He tossed five innings against the Brewers in his last start, giving up two runs and striking out three. He's faced the Phillies twice this season, going 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA over 12 innings.
Game Notes:
- Since Aug. 5, the Phillies bullpen has posted a Major League-best 1.92 ERA (23 ER in 107 2/3 IP).
- Maikel Franco gets the start again today, this time at third base. In yesterday's game, he drove in the Phillies first run and scored what would be the game-winning run in the first. He is hitting .192 (5-for-26) with four runs scored and four RBI's since his call-up.
- Domonic Brown, hitting sixth today, is 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBI's against the Marlins starter, Tom Koehler. Ryan Howard is 3-for-7 with a double and two walks.
- The Marlins hit Buchanan well when he pitched against them last, despite only getting two runs off of him. Giancarlo Stanton, who will not play, went 2-for-3 with two doubles against him. Casey McGehee went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Lineups:
Phillies Lineup:
- Ben Revere CF
- Maikel Franco 3B
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Grady Sizemore RF
- Domonic Brown LF
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Freddy Galvis SS
- David Buchanan P
Marlins Lineup
- Christian Yelich LF
- Reed Johnson RF
- Casey McGehee 3B
- Marcell Ozuna CF
- Garrett Jones 1B
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
- Enrique Hernandez 2B
- Adeiny Hechavarria SS
- Tom Koehler P
First Pitch: 1:35 PM ET
Location: Citizen’s Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Weather: 65o F, Partly Cloudy
TV: CSN
Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
