Phillies at Marlins
The Philadelphia Phillies have cooled down since briefly flirting with first place in the National League East, losing three straight and five of seven overall. The Phillies aim to apply the brakes on Tuesday and even their three-game series with the host Miami Marlins, who have won a season-high three in a row and five of their last six.
Maikel Franco continues to feast on the Marlins, belting a two-run homer in Monday's 8-4 setback to extend his hitting streak to six games overall while improving to 7-for-15 with three blasts, 12 RBIs and six runs scored versus Miami. One of Franco's three homers came at the expense of Tuesday starter Jarlin Garcia, who was making a relief appearance on April 5. Brian Anderson helped the Marlins extend their winning streak with both his bat and his glove, as he homered and drove in four runs while also making a diving catch with the bases loaded. Anderson leads the team with 16 RBIs, with six coming at the expense of the Phillies.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (2017: 1-5, 6.16 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Jarlin Garcia (1-0, 1.00)
Eflin has been summoned from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take the rotation spot of Ben Lively, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list last week with a strained lower back. The 24-year-old Eflin has gone 2-2 with a 4.05 ERA in four starts with the IronPigs this season after struggling to a 1-5 record and 6.16 ERA over 11 turns with Philadelphia in 2017. Eflin was shelled in his lone career outing at Miami, surrendering seven runs on nine hits and four walks in five innings of an 11-1 rout on July 27, 2016.
Garcia is receiving three extra days of rest due to the returns of Wei-Yin Chen and Dan Straily, in addition to rookie Caleb Smith making another start. The 25-year-old Garcia allowed just one run and four hits while striking out seven in six innings before settling for a no-decision at the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 23. The Dominican has posted a 0.53 ERA during his three starts (17 innings) while limiting the opposition to a .114 batting average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Miami 2B Starlin Castro recorded a pair of doubles to highlight his three-hit performance in the series opener, improving to 13-for-33 in his last nine games.
2. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera has reached base safely in 30 straight contests.
3. Marlins 1B Justin Bour is in line to return following a three-game absence due to a back injury.