Two of the preseason favorites to win the National League East, the Phillies and Marlins, open a three game series in Miami this evening. Tonight’s Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins skirmish has a scheduled start time of 7:10pm ET at Marlins Park; the game will be broadcast live on the MLB Network. MLB Friday Odds at offshore book maker Sportsbook.ag have the Marlins pegged as a slight -110 moneyline favorite. The Phillies are drawing 1-1 odds to win this evening’s opener. The game total in tonight’s rivalry tilt is set at 7.5 runs (Under is favored at -115 odds).
Neither the Phillies are Marlins are too far below the .500 mark, but the fact that both clubs are still clawing to break even is both a surprise and disappointment to many. The two NL East rivals currently own the last two spots in the division standings and, at 35-40 (Miami) and 36-42 (Philadelphia), they trail the first place Nationals by 8.5 and nine games, respectively.
The Phillies will attempt to reverse roles with Miami and end their present skid at two games tonight by sending former Cy Young winner Cliff Lee to the hill. Shockingly, Lee, who is making his 13th start, has yet to record a win this season. The veteran southpaw is 0-4 overall and Philadelphia is just 3-9 in his 12 starts.
Lee has 86 strikeouts in 84 2/3 innings pitched and he possesses a 3.72 ERA and 1.13 WHIP; however, he has been trending in the wrong direction of late. Lee’s last four starts have yielded 31 hits and 16 earned runs over 27.2 innings, yet, the Phillies lost three of those games by a single run.
While the Marlins are currently ahead of the Phillies in the standings, they have produced a worst brand of baseball than their divisional counterpart over the last 15 days. Miami is 3-11 since June 12th, losing those 11 contests by an average of 4.8 runs per game.
Staff ace Josh Johnson, who has looked more Josh Johnson-like over his last four or five starts, will attempt to keep the Marlins a little closer this evening. Johnson (4-5, 3.96 ERA) has allowed two or fewer earned runs while working a minimum of 6 2/3 innings in each of his last four outings. He is 5-4 with a 3.68 ERA in 15 career appearances against the Phillies.
MLB Friday Betting Trend: The Marlins are 0-10 in their last 10 games as a home favorite versus a left handed pitcher with a moneyline spread between 100 and 120.
MLB Friday Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins Odds
Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 (-230), Over 7.5 (-105), +100 (Moneyline)
Miami Marlins -1.5 (+190), Under 7.5 (-115), -110 (Moneyline)
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