Phillies at Marlins
Jake Arrieta didn't put his best foot forward in his first start of the 2018 season, exiting after four innings in a no-decision versus the Miami Marlins. Three starts and as many wins later, the 2015 National League Cy Young Award recipient aims for a better showing on Monday as the Philadelphia Phillies (16-11) open a three-game series against the host Marlins (9-18).
Aaron Altherr scored his team's lone run and collected three of his club's five hits in Sunday's 10-1 rout by Atlanta as the Phillies have dropped four of six overall after losing two of three to the Braves for the third time this season. Maikel Franco joined Altherr in belting a grand slam to highlight a 20-1 romp over Miami on April 7, with the former going 6-for-12 with two homers, 10 RBIs and four runs scored as Philadelphia won two of three in that series. Miguel Rojas homered in the finale of that set and went deep for the second time in four outings as the Marlins posted their fourth win in five games with Sunday's 3-0 triumph over Colorado. "Early in the season, we were finding a way to lose," manager Don Mattingly told reporters. "To put a couple of series in a row together, that's the only way we're going to ever get marching down the road toward respectability."
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (3-0, 1.82 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Dan Straily (2017: 10-9, 4.26)
Signed to a three-year, $75 million deal, Arrieta allowed three runs on as many hits in four innings of a no-decision against Miami on April 8. The 32-year-old has flipped the switch over his last three outings, permitting three earned runs while scattering 12 hits and striking out 13 in 20 2/3 innings. J.T. Realmuto (3-for-8) and Justin Bour (2-for-6) have gotten their licks in against Arrieta, but the right-hander has limited the rest of current roster to going 3-for-36 with eight strikeouts.
Straily is expected to come off the disabled list and make his first start of 2018 after being sidelined with a right forearm inflammation. The 29-year-old struck out 12 over 13 innings during three rehab starts and looks to provide a workhorse presence for Miami after logging a team-high 181 2/3 innings last season. "You always feel good with Dan. We've taken our time with him to make sure he's fully ready," Mattingly said of Straily, who sports a 4-2 career mark versus Philadelphia despite a less-than-desirable 5.35 ERA and 1.78 WHIP while allowing the club to bat .338 against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera, who has reached base in a career-best 29 consecutive games, went 7-for-12 with five runs scored in the first series versus Miami.
2. Marlins OF Cameron Maybin is just 6-for-43 with 15 strikeouts since facing the Phillies earlier this month.
3. Philadelphia 2B Cesar Hernandez has reached base 12 times in his last six games overall and eight times versus Miami this season.