Key Wild Card battle on tap for Marlins

Philadelphia (70-69) at Florida (70-69), 7:05 p.m. ET

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

If the Marlins are to catapult themselves into the Wild Card lead, they will have to get past one of their division rivals.

 

Like the Marlins, the Phillies are in the hunt for a postseason spot. Both are chasing the Padres in the Wild Card standings. And both NL East squads will see plenty of each other in the upcoming weeks.

 

Ten of the Marlins' final 23 games are against the Phillies, including a four-game set beginning Thursday night at Dolphin stadium.

 

An inspired Florida squad hopes to carry the momentum of Anibal Sanchez's no-hitter against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night into the series opener. Making history, Sanchez struck out six and walked four in the 2-0 victory.

 

Now the Marlins must guard against a letdown after an emotional night.

 

Marlins manager Joe Girardi says the schedule makers knew what they were doing when they stockpiled meetings in the final month.

 

"They certainly are making things interesting," Girardi said. "The worst thing for both teams is probably a split. The bottom line is you've got to win series. If you win series, you'll be OK."

 

Thus far, the Marlins have had their struggles with Philadelphia. The Phillies lead the season series, 6-3.

 

In years past, these two clubs have had great September battles. The 2003 Marlins swept a three-game set late in the month to put themselves on the verge of clinching the Wild Card. That year, Florida handled Philadelphia, taking the season series, 12-7.

 

The Marlins have won 14 of 17, and are now even with the Phillies for second place in the NL East.

 

Girardi predicts it will take 85 wins to capture the Wild Card. The Marlins need to go 15-8 to reach that mark.

 

In matching up with the Phillies, the Marlins are focused on containing slugger Ryan Howard, who has 53 homers and 134 RBIs on the season.

 

"The amazing thing is he didn't seem to do much in April," Girardi said of the Phillies star first baseman. "He's been impressive. He's an impressive guy."

 

With so much on the line in this series, the Marlins will pitch carefully to Howard.

 

"The situation will dictate what we do," Girardi said.

 

The Marlins send rookie Josh Johnson to the mound in search of his 13th win. The rookie right-hander is 12-6 with a 2.99 ERA. The Phillies are going with veteran Jon Lieber (6-9, 4.93).

 

An interesting twist to the Marlins-Phillies series is the fact Jeff Conine is now with Philadelphia. Obtained in a trade with Baltimore, Conine was part of both Florida World Series title teams.

 

Conine is mildly surprised by the Marlins' success with so much youth.

 

"If you asked anybody, they'd be a little surprised that they did this well," Conine said. "It just shows you the job they did in the offseason in acquiring the talent in the trades that helped everybody. They got quality people in return."

 

 

Pitching matchup

 

FLA: RHP Josh Johnson (12-6, 2.99)

Johnson wasn't as sharp as previous outings in his second consecutive start against the Brewers on Saturday night, but still pitched well. He gave up four runs in six innings as Milwaukee bunched its hits together to take an early lead in a game the Marlins won, 9-6, in 10 innings.

 

PHI: RHP Jon Lieber (6-9, 4.93)

Lieber has been very effective since the trading deadline, posting a 2.42 ERA in six starts. Though he didn't win his previous outing, the right-hander lasted eight innings, and allowed just two hits. Command has been the biggest factor for Lieber during his standard late-season push.

 

 

Player to watch

 

Howard is having an MVP-type season with his .306 average, 53 homers and 134 RBIs.

 

 

On the Internet

 

? MLB.TV

? Gameday Audio

? Gameday

? Official game notes

 

On television

? FSN

 

 

On radio

? 560 WQAM, 1140 WQBA(Espa?ol)

 

 

Up next

 

? Friday: Phillies (LHP Jamie Moyer, 1-1, 5.12) at Marlins (LHP Scott Olsen, 12-7, 4.04), 7:35 p.m. ET

? Saturday: Phillies (RHP Brett Myers, 10-6, 4.09) at Marlins (RHP Brian Moehler, 7-8, 6.18), 6:05 p.m. ET

? Sunday: Phillies (LHP Cole Hammels, 7-7, 4.33) at Marlins (LHP Dontrelle Willis, 9-11, 3.93), 1:05 p.m. ET

 

Let's keep on rolling and crush these Phillies!

 

GO FISH!

Keep winning!

Another no-no :mischief j/k. Just win boys.

This is so big, it hurts

I'll be at the game... GO FISH!

go marlins...keep on trucking

 

GIT R DONE

 

:marlins

GO FISH

This is so big, it hurts

 

That's what she said.

Treat Ryan Howard like Barry Bonds circa 2003 and we win the series.

Huuuuuuge series

 

I'm a nervous wreck

 

1 game at a time, get a W tonight, fellas.

Let's win, kthxbi.

Let's start it out right...

Fish are going to fly high tonite

 

GO YOU CRAZY FISH!!!

:nailbite .. I Believe in the Fish!!

I LOVE THE POSITIVE NON FAIRWEATHER FAN PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD

 

YOU GUYS ARE TRUE FANS LETS GO FISH!!!!

Treat Ryan Howard like

 

a little bitch and we will win this series :shifty

Just hit Howard in the toe and nock him out for a few games :lol .

DOES ANYBODY WORK AT THE HOTEL THE PHILLIES ARE STAYING AT??

 

i HAVE A FEW EVIL IDEAS

Treat Ryan Howard like

 

a little bitch and we will win this series :shifty

depending on the situation...we need to put a 95 mph right in the small of his back

26 outs to go

 

 

 

:shifty

DOES ANYBODY WORK AT THE HOTEL THE PHILLIES ARE STAYING AT??

 

i HAVE A FEW EVIL IDEAS

 

Try turning off Caps Lock.

nobody say a word....jj has a you know what going!

Another no-no :mischief j/k. Just win boys.

 

:shifty

 

2 outs

25 outs to go

 

 

:cool

 

I CANT F'N STAND CHASE UTLEY

There it goes. f***.

 

Now gotta face Howard with a guy on.