Series Preview: Marlins

PHI: 78-59, 2nd in NL East
FLA: 66-69, 3rd in NL East
Where: Citizens Bank Park (Philly, PA)
Discussion: Liberty Bell Sports

Probable Pitchers
Monday 1: Vance Worley (0-0, 0.00) vs. Adalberto Mendez (0-0, -.–)
Monday 2: Roy Oswalt (10-13, 3.01) vs. Anibal Sanchez (11-8, 3.14)
Tuesday: Joe Blanton (6-6, 5.25) vs. Chris Volstad (9-9, 4.82)
Wednesday: Cole Hamels (9-10, 3.18) vs. Andrew Miller (1-0, 3.60)

Broadcast Info
Monday, 1:05: CSN
Monday, 7:05: CSN/MLBN
Tuesday, 7:05: CSN
Wednesday, 7:05: CSN
All Games on 1210 AM

Player to Watch – Gabby Sanchez: He clotheslines players like The Rock but hits the ball really well. The first baseman is the Marlins most coveted prize right now. Playing in his first full season, the front-runner for Rookie of the Year is hitting .286 with 16 homers and 72 RBIs. When he isn’t decking Nyjer Morgan, he could be a very dangerous player to watch out for.

Series Overview: The Phillies lead the season series 7-4. The two teams will engage in a four-game series that includes a double header on Monday. Florida is having fun playing spoiler as they hold the best record against the division at 31-26.

The Phils are exactly where they want to be during this series. They only trail the Braves by one game in the division and they are playing a weak Marlins team at home where they are 44-27 on the season. Florida is 34-33 on the road.

Both the Marlins and Phillies are throwing untested rookies into the fire during the first game of Monday’s double header. Vance Worley pitched a few relief innings for the Phils earlier this season but Marlins starter Adalberto Mendez is making his first 2010 appearance against one of the best offenses in the league.

The Monday nighter will feature Anibal Sanchez and Roy Oswalt, two of the teams best pitchers. It will be an important battle as neither team will want to drop the first two games of the series.

Tuesday’s heavyweight battle will be between the 6’8″, 230 pound Chris Volstad and the 6’3″, 244 pound Joe Blanton. One likes to eat burgers and the other likes to eat sucker punches.

Cole Hamels will take the hill for the Phillies on Wednesday as he looks to extend his scoreless innings streak.