Where: Dolphins Stadium

When: 7:05 ET

On television: FSN-HD

On the Radio: WQAM 560, WQBA 1140 (Espa?ol)

 

Pitching Matchup:

FLA: RHP Byung-Hyun Kim (4-4, 4.94 ERA)

Since being traded to the Marlins in May, Kim is 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA. This will be his 10th start and 11th appearance for Florida, and he is still struggling with control and logging a lot of pitches. In 52 1/3 innings with the Marlins, he has struck out 45, but walked 32. In his last start, Kim picked up a big win, taking a decision over Jake Peavy and San Diego at PETCO Park. He gave up two runs in 6 2/3 innings that day, striking out seven.

 

STL: RHP Braden Looper (6-7, 4.72 ERA)

It seems as if Looper has had the same problem in both his starts since coming off the DL -- fatigue. In the two outings, Looper has started out smoothly and looked dominant, before running into some trouble late. The right-hander insists he feels fine and says he feels as good in the sixth or seventh as he does in the first or second. The Cards need Looper to be there every fifth day in the second half of the season in order to contend. Looper, who was a member of the Marlins from 1999-2003, is 2-2 in 15 1/3 innings against them, all coming as a reliever.

 

 

 

Braden Looper was once Florida's closer, tallying a then-career-high 28 saves for the Marlins in their 2003 World Series champsionship season. On Monday, Looper -- now a starting pitcher for St. Louis -- will be on the other side of the mound as he makes his first start against his former team.

 

After appearing in a team-high 69 games out of the bullpen for St. Louis in 2006, Looper was moved to the starting rotation this season and has gone 6-7 with a 4.72 ERA. He hasn't won since May 24 and is 0-4 in his last six starts. In 16 relief appearances against the Marlins since leaving the team, Looper is 2-2 with four saves and a 7.63 ERA.

 

Florida will counter with Byung-Hyun Kim, whose last two starts have been stellar after a tip from pitching coach Rick Kranitz to attack the strike zone more. Kim has allowed three runs in 12 2/3 innings over those two starts, picking up a win and a no-decision. He'll be making his first start against the Cardinals since May 10, 2006, when he allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss for Colorado.

 

This is the first of six meetings between these two clubs this season. The Marlins went 1-5 against the Cardinals last season and have dropped eight of their last 10 against St. Louis at Dolphin Stadium.

 

credit: MLB.com

 

 

 

GO MARLINS!

I'll be extremely dissapointed if we don't sweep this series.

 

Obviously sh*t happens, but I feel every pitching matchup is severly in our favor, plus our supperior offense.

 

LET'S DO IT

A win is needed or I may start posting in lorem ipsum.

:marlins

 

GIT-R-DONE

Oh man I hope we tee off on Looper.

 

Not that I have any ill feelings toward the guy, I'm just stunned that he's proven good enough to be a starter.

Oh man I hope we tee off on Looper.

 

Not that I have any ill feelings toward the guy, I'm just stunned that he's proven good enough to be a starter.

 

 

Yeah for real, remember how much he stunk it up down here?

I would always cringe when Looper pitched for us. If we don't score 5+ runs, I'd be surprised.

Oh man I hope we tee off on Looper.

 

Not that I have any ill feelings toward the guy, I'm just stunned that he's proven good enough to be a starter.

 

 

Yeah for real, remember how much he stunk it up down here?

Yes, definitely. But to give Looper credit, I remember him coming in with the bases loaded and 1 out in the 2003 World Series, and not giving up a run. But for the most part, yeah, he was pretty bad.

with the Mets playing in SD, it's time for us to make a little run and pick up some games.

sweeeeeeeeep

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

D. Eckstein SS

S. Schumaker CF

A. Pujols 1B

C. Duncan LF

S. Rolen 3B

J. Encarnacion RF

A. Kennedy 2B

G. Bennett C

B. Looper P

 

FLORIDA MARLINS

H. Ramirez SS

D. Uggla 2B

M. Cabrera 3B

M. Jacobs 1B

J. Willingham LF

J. Hermida RF

M. Treanor C

A. Amezaga CF

B. Kim P

Yeah, these two shouldn't be wearing Tommy Bahama's.

just a question....who has our last CG??

just a question....who has our last CG??

Guess: Sanchez

Go BK!

just a question....who has our last CG??

Guess: Sanchez

 

Really? We have none this year?

That bag looks pretty cool.

God Damn Duncan ripped that.

:banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead

Olivo doesn't catch that pitch.

Olivo doesn't catch that pitch.

 

No, no he doesn't. He doesn't catch any of Kim's pitches.

Looks like its gonna be a high pitch count night for Kim.

Olivo doesn't catch that pitch.

 

No, no he doesn't. He doesn't catch any of Kim's pitches.

:mischief

Already two walks......

Awesome, Treanor.