By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Aiming for their ninth series victory over their last 11 series played overall, the Philadelphia Phillies (53-40) and All-Star RHP Aaron Nola will oppose rookie RHP Trevor Richards and the Miami Marlins (39-57) in the second of a three-game set Saturday afternoon at Marlins Park. Nola is just one of three Phillies starters to tally 12 or more wins prior to the All-Star break since 1977, joining Steve Carlton (1977, 1980) and Curt Schilling (1999).
The Phillies and RHP Jake Arrieta blanked the Marlins, 2-0, in Friday's series opener. Aaron Altherr's second-inning RBI double and Maikel Franco's ninth-inning solo home run was all the offense the Phillies needed to win their 53rd contest of 2018. Arrieta tossed seven strong innings, allowing only three hits and three walks while punching out three batters spanning 95 pitches and 54 strikes. Right-handers Victor Arano and Pat Neshek recorded their fifth hold and first save, respectively, in the eighth and ninth innings.
The Phillies have won 12 of their last 16 games since June 27. The club has just two more games prior to the conclusion of the unofficial first half of the season and the 89th Midsummer Classic, Tuesday, July 17, at Nationals Park.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (53-40) | Miami Marlins (39-57) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Aaron Nola | RHP | Trevor Richards | ||
| (12-2, 2.27 ERA) | (2-5, 5.24 ERA) | ||||
RHP Aaron Nola, Age: 25
- 2018 vs. MIA: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7 1/3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 SO, 0.682 WHIP
- Career vs. MIA: 3-3, 3.88 ERA, 8 G, 8 GS, 48 2/3 IP, 43 H, 21 R, 21 ER, 6 HR, 11 BB, 52 SO, 1.110 WHIP
- Career at Marlins Park: 2-2, 3.99 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 29 1/3 IP, 28 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 29 SO, 1.159 WHIP
The Phillies are 11-2 (.846) in the 13 games started by Arrieta, Nola and Zach Eflin since June 20. Nola has allowed one run or less in each of his last three starts, tossing no fewer than seven innings and striking out no fewer than eight batters.
RHP Trevor Richards, Age: 25
- 2018 vs. PHI: 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 2 SO, 2.250 WHIP
- Career vs. PHI: 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 2 SO, 2.250 WHIP
- Career at Marlins Park: 1-2, 4.44 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 26 1/3 IP, 27 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 17 SO, 1.291 WHIP
Richards allowed seven walks in his most recent start, July 8 on the road against the Washington Nationals. The right-hander has a 6.55 ERA and 1.955 WHIP ratio over his last five starts, allowing 16 runs on 21 singles, 10 extra-base hits and 12 walks.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (53-40) | Miami Marlins (39-57) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | LF | Derek Dietrich | L |
| 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R | 2 | RF | Brian Anderson | R |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R |
| 4 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S | 4 | 1B | Justin Bour | L |
| 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 5 | 2B | Starlin Castro | R |
| 6 | RF | Nick Williams | L | 6 | 3B | Martin Prado | R |
| 7 | SS | Scott Kingery | R | 7 | SS | Miguel Rojas | R |
| 8 | C | Jorge Alfaro | R | 8 | CF | Cameron Maybin | R |
| 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R | 9 | P | Trevor Richards | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 4:10 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- With the Milwaukee Brewers dropping three straight games, the Phillies have pulled within just one game of the National League East lead. The club currently leads the division by 1 1/2 games, with 69 games remaining in the season.
- The Phillies have won four of seven meetings this season with the Marlins, outscoring and outhitting, 41-17 and 69-44, respectively.
- Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez, center fielder Odubel Herrera and 1B/LF Rhys Hoskins each have previously doubled opposite Richards. No active Marlins player has previously homered against Nola spanning 89 combined at-bats.
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:
Sunday, July 15, 2018: at Miami Marlins, 1:10 p.m.
- Marlins Park, Miami, Fla.
- RHP Enyel De Los Santos (1-0, 4.26 ERA) vs. RHP Jose Urena (2-9, 4.13 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
