(Philliedelphia/Danielle Wilson)
The 2012 Phillies' season is over. It was pretty interesting in the beginning of September, but what ever had the Phillies playing so well quickly died. Some will say, like myself, it was that weekend series in Houston that killed the Phils' hopes. Others will say it was the series loss against the Wild Card-leading Braves. Whatever the cause is, the result remains the same: 2012 is a wash. Tonight the Phillies will just aim to keep their record above .500 as they open a three-game set in Miami, where the Marlins have not had as much of a grand season as they had hoped also. Cliff Lee (6-8, 3.18 ERA) will take on Mark Buehrle (13-13, 3.84 ERA) in the opener tonight.
2012 has been a crap year for Cliff Lee. Either he pitches really well and doesn't get any run support, or he pitches well and implodes. With a 6-8 record, Lee's ERA doesn't fit well with his record. With a 3.18 ERA, Lee ranks 10th among all NL pitchers. In Lee's last start, a loss against the Braves on Sunday, he allowed only one earned run over eight innings. Lee struck out 11 in the 2-1 loss. Since August 26, Lee has been spectacular; posting a 1.04 ERA in 43 1/3 innings. During that span, Lee tallied up four wins while striking out 44 batters. Lee has fared well against the Marlins in his career, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.89 ERA in over 46 innings pitched.
Mark Buehlre is not having the year he thought he would have this season either. The lefty is 13-13 with a 3.84 ERA in 30 starts this season. Along with the rest of the Miami Marlins, the 2012 season has been a letdown. In his last 10 starts, Buehlre has gone 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA (35 ER in 62 2/3 innings). In his last start, a loss against the Mets, Buehrle tossed six innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits while walking three. Tonight, Buehrle will look to get above .500 for his personal record. In 46 2/3 career innings against the Phillies, Buehrle is 5-2 with a 4.44 ERA.
Tonight's lineup @ Miami:
1. Rollins, SS
2. Frandsen, 3B
3. Utley, 2B
4. Ruiz, C
5. Wigginton, 1B
6. Ruf, LF
7. Mayberry, RF
8. Martinez, CF
9. Lee, P
TV: CSN ; Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP.
Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
