By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Playing against their third different team on the road in as many days, the Philadelphia Phillies (52-40) and RHP Jake Arrieta will open a three-game set against the National League-worst Miami Marlins (39-56) Friday evening at Marlins Park, concluding the unofficial first half of the 2018 season. Southpaw Wei-Yin Chen will get the starting nod for Miami opposite Arrieta.
The Phillies will be doing something Friday for just the fourth time since divisional play began in 1969 — pic.twitter.com/2p5VU2tVRN
— Bob Vetrone Jr. (@BoopStats) July 13, 2018
Right-handers Nick Pivetta and Seranthony Dominguez notched their sixth win and ninth save of the season, respectively, in the 5-4 win makeup game opposite the MLB-worst Baltimore Orioles Thursday evening at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Second baseman Cesar Hernandez, shortstop Scott Kingery and catcher Jorge Alfaro each recorded three hits, with Alfaro launching his sixth home run in the sixth to put the Phillies on top 5-0. Alfaro and Kingery also doubled, their 12th and 18th of 2018.
The Phillies have won 20 of 30 games since June 10, and 11 of 15 games since June 27. The club is two games under .500 against both National League East opponents (17-19) and against all opponents on the road (22-24).
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (52-40) | Miami Marlins (39-56) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jake Arrieta | LHP | Wei-Yin Chen | ||
| (6-6, 3.47 ERA) | (2-6, 6.14 ERA) | ||||
RHP Jake Arrieta, Age: 32
- 2018 vs. MIA: 0-1, 9.39 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 7 2/3 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 7 SO, 1.957 WHIP
- Career vs. MIA: 3-1, 3.21 ERA, 6 G, 6 GS, 33 2/3 IP, 27 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 8 BB, 33 SO, 1.040 WHIP
- Career at Marlins Park: 2-1, 4.08 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 17 2/3 IP, 19 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 16 SO, 1.245 WHIP
Arrieta has struggled against the Marlins this season, allowing the highest ERA (9.39), the most hits (11) and runs (9), and second-highest WHIP (1.957) among all of his 12 teams faced thus far in a Phillies uniform.
The right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.103 WHIP and 30-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio against teams with a sub-.500 record, as opposed to going 4-5 with a 3.63 ERA, 1.313 WHIP and 39-21 strikeout-to-walk ratio against all other opponents.
In his most recent start on July 7 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, Arrieta snapped a four-game losing decision skid, allowing just two runs on six hits and a walk through seven frames.
LHP Wei-Yin Chen, Age: 32
- 2018 vs. PHI: N/A
- Career vs. PHI: 1-3, 4.02 ERA, 6 G, 5 GS, 31 1/3 IP, 39 H, 15 R, 14 ER, 4 HR, 4 BB, 25 SO, 1.372 WHIP
- Career at Marlins Park: 2-2, 4.49 ERA, 20 G, 19 GS, 102 1/3 IP, 99 H, 52 R, 51 ER, 11 HR, 30 BB, 87 SO, 1.261 WHIP
The seven-year veteran will make his first appearance against the Phillies this season, having last faced the club in a two-shutout-inning relief appearance on Sept. 13, 2017, at Citizens Bank Park.
Chen surrendered seven runs in his most recent start, a 18-4 loss on July 7 against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Three of Chen's seven hits surrendered went for extra bases, including a two-run home run to 1B/3B Mark Reynolds in the second inning. Reynolds and third baseman Anthony Rendon also doubled opposite the Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, native.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (52-40) | Miami Marlins (39-56) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | 2B | Starlin Castro | R |
| 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R | 2 | RF | Brian Anderson | R |
| 3 | RF | Trevor Plouffe | R | 3 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R |
| 4 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S | 4 | 1B | Justin Bour | L |
| 5 | SS | Scott Kingery | R | 5 | 3B | Martin Prado | R |
| 6 | C | Jorge Alfaro | R | 6 | LF | Garrett Cooper | R |
| 7 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 7 | SS | JT Riddle | L |
| 8 | CF | Aaron Altherr | R | 8 | CF | Cameron Maybin | R |
| 9 | P | Jake Arrieta | R | 9 | P | Wei-Yin Chen | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
- TV: NBC 10
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies trail the Milwaukee Brewers by just two games for the best record in the National League. On Thursday, the club regained sole possession of the National League East lead over the Atlanta Braves.
- The Marlins have the worst run differential (-120) in the National League, and the fourth-worst in the majors, behind the Kansas City Royals (-186), Baltimore Orioles (-160) and Chicago White Sox (-133).
- The Phillies are 3-3 against the Marlins this season, despite outscoring manager Don Mattingly's club, 39-17.
- Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco is 7-16 lifetime against Chen with a double, two home runs, six RBI and three strikeouts (.438/.438/.875). Marlins All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto is 4-11 all-time against Arrieta with two doubles, one triple, and one RBI (.364/.364/.727). Trevor Plouffe (.263/.300/.684) will make his first start in a Phillies uniform on Friday, batting third as the right fielder.
In the News:
Trade Rumors
- Phillies Hot Stove: Club Increases Offer for 4-Time All-Star Machado [Link]
- Phillies Hot Stove: Cole Hamels Would ‘Absolutely Love’ to Rejoin Club [Link]
- Report: Phillies ‘Will Not Include’ Top Prospect Sanchez in Deal for Machado [Link]
- Report: Phillies Showing Interest in 2-Time All-Star Closer Britton [Link]
- Phillies Rumors: Machado Remains Club's 'Top Target' [Link]
- Phillies Hot Stove: Stark on Eflin, Franco, Machado, Royals [Link]
All-Star Festivities
- Phillies' Hoskins to Participate in 2018 Home Run Derby [Link]
- Nola: Being an All-Star Is ‘A Dream Come True’ [Link]
- Kapler: ‘Not Much Utility in Feeling Sorry’ for Lack of All-Stars [Link]
- Phillies’ Nola Named to National League All-Star Team [Link]
Transactions
- Phillies Option De Los Santos to Triple-A Following Stellar Debut [Link]
- Phillies Promote Former 1st Round Pick Haseley to Double-A [Link]
What's Next:
Saturday, July 14, 2018: at Miami Marlins, 4:10 p.m.
- Marlins Park, Miami, Fla.
- RHP Aaron Nola (12-2, 2.27 ERA) vs. RHP Trevor Richards (2-5, 5.24 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
