Phillies at Marlins
The Miami Marlins have raised the outlook in South Florida on the strength of a season-high four-game winning streak while the Philadelphia Phillies have seen their fortunes take a tumble with losses in four straight and six of eight overall. The Marlins (11-18) aim for their first series sweep of the season on Wednesday when they wrap up the three-game set versus the visiting Phillies (16-13).
Yadiel Rivera celebrated his 26th birthday one day early with a walk-off single in the 10th inning of Tuesday's 2-1 victory for Miami, which has answered a miserable 3-15 stretch with wins in six of its last seven. Justin Bour belted a pinch-hit homer in the sixth inning and is expected to return to the starting lineup for the first time in five outings on Wednesday after being plagued by back spasms. While the outlook has changed for a Marlins' team with little expectation, the Phillies' positive start has been dampened due in large part to an offense that has mustered just seven runs during the four-game skid. Odubel Herrera singled in the fourth inning to reach base safely for the 31st consecutive contest and is 4-for-8 in his career versus Wednesday starter Jose Urena.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (3-1, 2.58 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Urena (0-4, 4.91)
Nola recorded his fourth consecutive quality start and second straight victory by overcoming a bumpy start in which he allowed three runs in the first inning before tossing six scoreless frames the rest of the way in Friday's 7-3 triumph against Atlanta. The 24-year-old was taken to task by Miami last season, posting a 1-3 mark with a gaudy 7.59 ERA and 1.59 WHIP while permitting the Marlins to bat .308 against him. Martin Prado has fared well by going 3-for-9 versus Nola, but the right-hander has flustered J.T. Realmuto (1-for-11) and Derek Dietrich (2-for-12, five strikeouts).
After posting a 14-7 mark in 2017, Urena's tough season in 2018 continued on Friday as he was handed the hard-luck loss versus Colorado despite yielding just one run on six hits over seven innings in a 1-0 setback. The 26-year-old Dominican owns an 0-5 mark in eight starts since defeating the New York Mets on Sept. 20. Urena pitched well in a pair of outings versus Philadelphia last season, permitting three runs in a 7-4 triumph on Aug. 22 before settling for a no-decision two weeks later despite allowing one run in seven innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia LF Rhys Hoskins' RBI double on Tuesday is his lone hit in his last four games (1-for-15) after hitting safely in 12 of his previous 13 outings.
2. Miami 2B Starlin Castro is 14-for-37 in his last 10 games.
3. Phillies C Jorge Alfaro is 7-for-16 with two homers, five RBIs and three runs scored in his last four contests.