By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies (75-71) will play for their first series win since August 2-5, as RHP Vince Velasquez takes on the Miami Marlins (57-90) in the second of a three-game set Saturday evening at Citizens Bank Park. Marlins southpaw Jarlin Garcia will serve as the "opener" in place of injured RHP Dan Straily (left oblique strain).
The Phillies secured their ninth straight winning season against the Marlins behind their 14-run, 18-hit rout on Friday. The Phillies slugged five home runs and three doubles, with two long balls coming off the bat of Aaron Altherr, his first since June 6. Roman Quinn, Rhys Hoskins and Mitch Walding also went yard, with Walding's being his first Major League hit. Third baseman Carlos Santana went 3-for-3, raising his batting average to a season-high .233. Starter Zach Eflin tossed 6 1/3 innings, and allowed only one run on five hits, one walk and four strikeouts. Eflin posted a MLB third-worst 7.71 ERA (minimum 20 innings) over the 30 days prior.
Mitch Walding has a memorable first MLB hit — it's a 2-run HR off a position player. Ends an 0 for 14 start to his career after debuting in May.
He's the first Phillie to hit a homer as his first big-league hit since Brock Stassi in April 2017.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) September 15, 2018
Home against the Marlins, the Phillies have won five straight games and 10 of their last 11 games dating back to Sept. 12 of last season.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Miami Marlins (57-90) | Philadelphia Phillies (75-71) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Jarlin Garcia | RHP | Vince Velasquez | ||
| (2-2, 5.05 ERA) | (9-11, 4.30 ERA) | ||||
RHP Vince Velasquez, Age: 26
- 2018 vs. MIA: 2-1, 2.08 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 17 1/3 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 19 SO, 0.808 WHIP
- Career vs. MIA: 4-2, 2.57 ERA, 9 G, 9 GS, 49 IP, 36 H, 16 R, 14 ER, 5 HR, 13 BB, 47 SO, 1.000 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 11-13, 4.44 ERA, 34 G, 33 GS, 170 1/3 IP, 148 H, 89 R, 84 ER, 32 HR, 65 BB, 210 SO, 1.250 WHIP
Velasquez has allowed three runs or fewer in six of his previous eight starts since July 28. Opposing batters are hitting .224/.312/.429 against the right-hander this season at Citizens Bank Park, with 15 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 28 walks and 82 strikeouts spanning 278 plate appearances and 66 1/3 innings.
Starting Lineups:
| Miami Marlins (57-90) | Philadelphia Phillies (75-71) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | SS | JT Riddle | L | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | 3B | Brian Anderson | R | 2 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 3 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R | 3 | RF | Jose Bautista | R |
| 4 | 2B | Starlin Castro | R | 4 | C | Wilson Ramos | R |
| 5 | 1B | Derek Dietrich | L | 5 | 3B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 6 | CF | Lewis Brinson | R | 6 | LF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 7 | LF | Austin Dean | R | 7 | CF | Roman Quinn | S |
| 8 | RF | Magneuris Sierra | L | 8 | SS | Scott Kingery | R |
| 9 | P | Jarlin Garcia | L | 9 | P | Vince Velasquez | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies trail the second National League Wild Card spot by just four games in the loss column with 16 games remaining in the season.
- Saturday's Postseason Race Matchups:
- Los Angeles Dodgers (LHP Rich Hill) at St. Louis Cardinals (RHP John Gant), 1:05 p.m.
- Washington Nationals (RHP Jeremy Hellickson) at Atlanta Braves (RHP Julio Teheran), 1:05 p.m.
- Cincinnati Reds (LHP Cody Reed) at Chicago Cubs (LHP Jon Lester), 4:05 p.m.
- Arizona Diamondbacks (RHP Zack Godley) at Houston Astros (RHP Charlie Morton), 7:10 p.m.
- Pittsburgh Pirates (RHP Ivan Nova) at Milwaukee Brewers (RHP Zach Davies), 7:10 p.m.
- Colorado Rockies (RHP German Marquez) at San Francisco Giants (LHP Madison Bumgarner), 9:05 p.m.
- The Phillies have won seven of their eight home games against the Marlins this season, outscoring and outhitting them 65-18 and 84-49, respectively.
- Hoskins needs just one more home run over his next 13 games to become the 11th Major League player ever with 50 home runs in his first 200 games, SportsRadio 94 WIP's Joe Giglio notes.
What's Next:
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018: vs. Miami Marlins, 1:35 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Jose Urena (6-12, 4.29 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (7-12, 4.64 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: 1210 WPHT
