Phils Aim to Take Rubber Match Behind Buchanan

Only four games remain in the Phillies (72-86) disappointing 2014 campaign. This afternoon against Miami (75-82), they will look to end the year on a high note behind a rookie pitcher, David Buchanan, who has some rotation potential moving forward. While Buchanan could just be starting his career in a Phils uniform, Kyle Kendrick's time in red pinstripes may hav come to an end last night. With free agency looming, Kendrick made his last start of the season a memorable one, tossing seven innings of one-run ball in the Phillies 2-1 qin. He only had two strikeouts but his ground ball pitches were working well, which is his forte. Kyle also went 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI. There's no doubt Kendrick showed his worth in his final month, posting a 2.78 ERA over five starts in September. Today, we focus on the final start of David Buchanan, who will be opposed by Tom Koehler of the Marlins. 

Though David Buchanan (6-8, 3.77) may not have the most overpowering stuff in his arsenal, there is no doubting that he does keep the Phillies in games. To put that in perspective, the Phillies rookie starter has not allowed more than three earned runs in a start since June 8th, 15 starts ago, when he allowed four against the Reds. In those 15 games, he's gone 5-5 and posted an ERA of 3.15. Yesterday we saw Kendrick and Hand face off for the third time this year and today Buchanan goes up against Tom Koehler, whom he opposed on September 14th in Philadelphia. Buchanan tossed 6.1 innings giving up just one run, but Jonathan Papelbon blew the lead in the Phils 5-4 loss. The Phils rookie pitched against Oakland in his most recent outing, giving up three runs on six hits over 6.2 innings. Buchanan has all but solidified a spot in the rotation next year. 

Miami will send 28-year-old Tom Koehler (9-9, 3.74) to the hill in the series finale. Koehler has been a serviceable starter for Miami, going 14-21 with a 4.09 ERA thus far in his young career. This season, he has 184 innings pitched, which is over 40 innings higher than what he threw last season with the Marlins.  He's faced the Phillies three times this season, going 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA over 18 innings. Koehler threw against the Nationals his last time out, giving up three runs in five innings of work in the Marlins 3-2 loss.

Game Notes:

• Jonathan Papelbon recorded his 38th save last night after returning from his seven-game suspension. The Phillies closer spoke to the media after yesterday's game about his time-off, saying that it was boring and annoying.
• Jimmy Rollins announced he is likely done for the year after injuring his hamstring on September 8th. He hit .243 with 22 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, 55 RBIs, 28 stolen bases and a career-high 64 walks in 609 plate appearances this year.
• Domonic Brown gets the start in left today. He's only started once in the last five games. 

Lineups:

Phillies Lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Cody Asche 3B
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Domonic Brown LF
6. Grady Sizemore RF
7. Carlos Ruiz C
8. Freddy Galvis SS
9. David Buchanan 

Marlins Lineup:

1. Christian Yelich LF
2. Donovan Solano 2B
3. Casey McGehee 3B
4. Garrett Jones RF
5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
6. Justin Bour 1B
7. Enrique Hernandez CF
8. Adeiny Hechavarria SS
9. Tom Koehler P

First Pitch: 4:10 PM ET

Location: Marlins Park, Miami, FL

Weather: 83^o F, Light Rain, 80% PoP

TV: CSN

Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP