Preview Game 149, 150: Phillies @ Marlins Double header

The Phillies open up a three game series with a double header in Miami this afternoon against the Florida Marlins. Entering the first game today the Phillies own an eight game lead in the NL East on both the Marlins and the Atlanta Braves.

Taking the mound in game one of the double header for the Phillies will be Joe Blanton. Blanton is coming off a somewhat shaky outing against the lowly Washington Nationals but he did pitch six scoreless innings. He was helped out by some poor base running and double plays off the bats of the Nationals.

Facing Blanton will be Marlins ace Josh Johnson. This season Johnson is 1-0 with one no-decision. Clearly he has pitched well against the Phillies this year and the Marlins will need him to be on top of his game tonight to give the Marlins a fighting chance. A win in game one of the double header would be a great way for the Marlins to get started. A sweep in this series would put the Marlins five games behind the Phillies with one more series still to be played (the final series of the season).

In game two of the double header, which will take place soon after the conclusion of game one in a traditional double header, the Phillies will call on Jamie Moyer out of the bullpen. Moyer is historically very good against the Marlins and the Phillies should be thankful to have the flexibility to use the established veteran out of the bullpen.

The Marlins will stick to a starter and use Anibal Sanchez. Sanchez had a decent outing his last time out against Cincinnati after getting through a first inning that saw him throw nearly 40 pitches. Sanchez though has not won a game since August 21.

The Phillies enter the double header with a magic number of six. If things go well the magic number could be cut in half (Phillies sweep the double header and the Braves lose).

Phillies Record: 87-61
Marlins Record: 80-70

NL East Standings

1. PHILLIES 87-61, -
2. Braves 80-70, 8.0
   
3. Marlins 80-70, 8.0
4. Mets 65-86, 23.5
   
5. Nationals 51-98, 36.5
   

Pitching probables (Game one): Joe Blanton (10-7, 3.97 ERA) vs. Josh Johnson (15-4, 3.01 ERA)
Pitching probables (Game two): Jamie Moyer (12-9, 5.05 ERA) vs. Anibal Sanchez (2-7, 4.50 ERA)

TV: Comcast Sportsnet (both games)

First pitch, game one: 4:10pm EST (game two has no scheduled time, will be set after conclusion of game one)

Season Series: Phillies lead 7-5
4.24 @ Florida W 7-3
4.25 @ Florida W 6-4(10)
4.26 @ Florida W 13-2
5.25 FLORIDA L 3-5 Open Thread/Photos
5.26 FLORIDA W 5-3 Open Thread/Recap
5.27 FLORIDA L 2-6 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
7.16 @ Florida W 4-0 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
7.17 @ Florida W 6-4 (12) Preview/Open Thread
7.18 @ Florida (Postponed)
7.19 @ Florida W 5-0 Open Thread
8.07 FLORIDA L 2-3 Preview/Open Thread
8.08 FLORIDA L 4-6 Open Thread
8.09 FLORIDA L 3-12 Open Thread

Open thread for the game will be posted at 3:40 pm. Open thread will be up for both parts of the double header. Recap of each game will come over night or tomorrow, depending on my schedule.