at

 

 

Playoff momentum is picking up daily around the youthful Marlins.

Rallying from a five-run deficit on Monday for their largest comeback victory of the season, the Marlins enter Tuesday night riding a four-game winning streak.

 

The Marlins have now won 13 of 15, and remain in the thick of the Wild Card race.

 

Dontrelle Willis takes the mound for Florida on Tuesday, while Arizona is going with Claudio Vargas, who once was in the Marlins' system.

 

Coming off a no-decision at St. Louis, in a game he was in line to win until an eighth-inning lead was wiped out, Willis again shoots to even his record. The D-Train has been impressive of late, even if he hasn't always had something to show for it.

 

The workhorse of the staff, Willis has logged 186 1/3 innings. The left-hander is well on his way to his second straight 200-plus innings season.

 

This will be Willis' 29th start. At home, he is 5-4 with a 4.83 ERA.

 

Lifetime against Arizona, Willis is 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA.

 

Vargas is 5-4 (4.70 ERA) on the road this season.

 

Tuesday morning, manager Joe Girardi is expecting to become a father for the third time. Girardi's wife, Kim, is scheduled to have labor induced after the couple drops their kids off at school. If all goes well, Girardi will be back at the stadium in time for Tuesday's game.

 

Able to expand their roster all month, the Marlins are expected to make some additions Tuesday. Some candidates are pitchers Jim Brower, Paul Mildren and Scott Tyler.

 

Pitching matchup

 

 

 

FLA: LHP Dontrelle Willis (9-10, 3.91 ERA)

Splendid in his last start, Willis settled for a no-decision at St. Louis, giving up one run in seven innings. But the Marlins were unable to preserve a 2-1 lead after the D-Train exited. Willis has won his last two decisions, and in his last three starts, he has given up five runs in 21 innings. Willis is looking to even his record for the first time since he was 1-1 on April 25.

 

 

 

ARI: RHP Claudio Vargas (10-9, 5.15 ERA)

Vargas' last outing against the Padres on Wednesday was brief as he only lasted five innings. The right-hander fell behind in the count early and often while giving up three runs on six hits. Vargas was able to work out of jams as he stranded six runners on the night. He wasn't helped with much run support as the D-Backs plated a lone run while he was on the hill.

 

Player to watch

All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs on Monday. Uggla now has driven in 81 runs to go along with 22 homers. He now holds the team's rookie RBI record, topping the 79 by Jeff Conine in 1993.

 

On the Internet

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio

? Gameday

? Official game notes

 

On television

? FSN

 

On radio

? 560 WQAM, 1140 WQBA (Espa?ol)

 

Credit: MLB.com

 

Lets keep the winning streak alive!

(psst... the game is at 7:05)

Let's get another win guys. I'm 4-9 on the season when attending games now... I want to be 5-9.

 

2 streaks active, 4 game win streak and 9 game home win streak

Hopefully you'll be 10-9 by the end of the weekend.

Getting an early start! Go Fish!

It's miserable out there so I just hope they can play this game that I plan to go to. If it's going to be postponed I hope they do it in advance.

WTF?

 

http://www.wunderground.com/radar/radblast...mp;avg_off=9999

have we had any doubleheaders this year?

 

 

id say there is a good chance they'll be playing two at the stadium tommorow.

not looking good at all, looks bad where im at also.

 

i really hope we can get this game in tonight!

 

keep the winning streak going boys!

 

GO MARLINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

People (particularly the lukewarm fans) get really turned off if they drive all the way to the stadium in bad weather and the game ends up being postponed. If the weather is hopeless they need to announce it early.

People (particularly the lukewarm fans) get really turned off if they drive all the way to the stadium in bad weather and the game ends up being postponed. If the weather is hopeless they need to announce it early.

 

 

I agree... Maybe they are just waiting another few hours to see if anything happens (Weather starts clearing up).

The weather is looking worse. I really dont want a DH tomorrow. It would be harder to sweep the series.

Hopefully, tonight's game does get played and Donny Ballgame can pitch a solid game.

well being obvlious to the weather in SoFla now...GO FISH! Let's win this one.

 

Also, to the grounds crew and umpires, postpone it if you feel it is not safe...but don't pull a Yankees on us and postpone it if there is a drizzle

THE STREAK CONTINUES TONITE, LETS ALL HOPE THE PADS LOSE TONITE WHILE THE MARLINS MAKE IT FIVE!!!

 

LETS GO FISH!!!!

:plaindance .

I know you'll like this one Holly.

:o ... I cant see any orange seats.

Orange seats are ugly... but GO MARLINS!

I bet ya most of the people are still not in their seats. I usually dont go to mine until 2 minutes before the 1st pitch.

I can't wait to hear today attendence, anyone wanna try to guess the number?

I can't wait to hear today attendence, anyone wanna try to guess the number?

 

Who the hell cares? What's important is that the Marlins win, not how many people show up.

Just got breaking news from JDigital

 

Phillies game rained out

 

 

 

All these doubleheaders are gonna kill their bullpen

Great news

*whew*. One out.