Phillies And Marlins Meet In Miami For Final Matchup

The Phillies begin play of their last week of the season tonight as they head down to Miami to face the Marlins.   Both teams are already guaranteed losing seasons, but now they fight for pride alone.  As our pal John Stolnis of That Ball's Outta Here pointed out early, the Phillies are fighting for a bottom 10 finish, which would allow the team to sign a free agent without forfeiting their first round draft pick.   

The Marlins will send to the mound Nathan Eovaldi.  Eovaldi joined the Marlins last season as the centerpiece in the Hanley Ramirez trade.  After going 4-13 with a 4.30 ERA last season, Eovaldi began 2013 in the minors.  After re-joining the Marlins rotation in June, Eovaldi is 3-6 with a 3.79 ERA.   Three of the losses were clearly earned, giving up six, nine, and five earned runs in those starts.  Eovaldi's other three losses featured two earned runs, one earned run, and two earned runs, thanks to little to no run support.  Eovaldi's most recent win included eight shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves on September 1.    Coming off an injury, Eovaldi's last start came against the Phillies, where he pitched five innings and gave up three runs, two earned.

Halladay's most recent start was against the Marlins as well, Tuesday of last week in Philadelphia.  Halladay pitched six innings, allowing just one earned run.  It was good enough for the win.    Halladay is now 4-4 with a 6.71 ERA.   Halladay's velocidy was down from even his return off of the disabled list in late August, registering between 86 and 89, according to the Citizens Bank Park scoreboard.   Halladay will rely on command of his pitches, a la Jamie Moyer.

Game Notes:

• Former Phillie Placido Polanco gets the start at third base for the Marlins.  He appeared only as a pinch-hitter in last week's series in Philadelphia.
• The Phillies will be short a pitcher, with Kyle Kendrick ruled out for the rest of the year.  With Zach Miner likely starting, other pitchers will have to pick up the slack in in the middle innings.  
• Roy Halladay has not pitched more than 101 pitches and six innings since his return from the disabled list.  Expect a similiar-length outing.

1. Cesar Hernandez CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Carlos Ruiz C
5. Domonic Brown LF
6. Darin Ruf 1B
7. Cody Asche 3B
8. Roger Bernadina RF
9. Roy Halladay P

Marlins Lineup:

1. Donovan Solano 2B
2. Ed Lucas 1B
3. Christian Yelich LF
4. Giancarlo Stanton RF
5. Justin Ruggiano CF
6. Placido Polanco 3B
7. Adeiny Hechavarria SS
8. Jeff Mathis C
9. Nathan Eovaldi P