Miami, FL – The Philadelphia Phillies (56-94) will begin their second-to-last road series of the season tonight, as they face four-year veteran RHP Tom Koehler and the Miami Marlins (64-86).
Currently, the Phillies trail the division-leading New York Mets (85-65) by 29.0 games. This is their largest deficit within the division since trailing the Atlanta Braves (60-91) by 30.0 games in 2000.
The Phillies have won four of their last five games in Miami, outscoring the Marlins 26 runs to 14.
Earlier today, it was announced that the contract of manager Pete Mackanin has been extended through the 2016 season, with a club option for 2017.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (56-94) | Miami Marlins (64-86) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Aaron Harang | RHP | Tom Koehler | ||
| (5-15, 5.04 ERA) | (10-13, 3.90 ERA) | ||||
Harang, 37, will be in search of his first win since July as he takes the mound as a Phillie for the 27th time.
Spanning four career starts at Marlins Park, the veteran right hander is 0-2 with a 7.77 ERA and a 1.682 WHIP ratio over 22.0 innings.
Koehler, 29, leads the Marlins' pitching staff this season in starts (28), innings (170 2/3), hits allowed (158), runs allowed (83, 74 earned), walks allowed (65), strikeouts (125), and batters faced (720).
Over 43 2/3 career innings against the Phillies, the right hander is 2-2 with a 4.12 ERA and a 1.237 WHIP ratio, allowing 42 hits and 12 walks.
In his most recent start on September 15 at Citi Field, Koehler picked up his 10th win of the season by surrendering just one run on five hits and four walks.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (56-94) | Miami Marlins (64-86) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 1 | 2B | Dee Gordon | L |
| 2 | LF | Aaron Altherr | R | 2 | 3B | Donovan Solano | R |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | CF | Christian Yelich | L |
| 4 | 1B | Darin Ruf | R | 4 | 1B | Justin Bour | L |
| 5 | RF | Brian Bogusevic | L | 5 | RF | Marcell Ozuna | R |
| 6 | 2B | Andres Blanco | S | 6 | LF | Derek Dietrich | L |
| 7 | C | Erik Kratz | R | 7 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R |
| 8 | 3B | Cody Asche | L | 8 | SS | Miguel Rojas | R |
| 9 | P | Aaron Harang | R | 9 | P | Tom Koehler | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:10 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Game Notes:
- The Phillies must win seven of their remaining 12 games to avoid 100 losses in a season for the first time since 1961 (47-107).
- Catcher Erik Kratz (6/3/13) and outfielder Brian Bogusevic (9/3/13) each have homered in their careers against Koehler in just five combined at-bats.
- The Phillies, who are 23-41 against National League East opponents this season, have lost 14 of their last 16 games against them. Their final 12 games of the season will be against teams from within their division (at MIA, at WSH, vs. NYM, vs. MIA).
What's Next:
- Wednesday, September 23, 2015: at Miami Marlins, 7:10 pm
- RHP David Buchanan (2-9, 8.49 ERA) vs. LHP Adam Conley (4-1, 4.22 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
- Thursday, September 24, 2015: at Miami Marlins, 7:10 pm
- RHP Alec Asher (0-4, 9.78 ERA) vs. TBA
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
