Marlins Phillies Rivalry

Marlins host the Phil's, hoping to play more than spolier

This is it.  With a mere 10 games left in the regular season, the Marlins have a chance to make their final push this weekend.  Already riding an 8 game winning streak, Florida will look to stay hot over the next three days and at the very least throw a monkey wrench into the Phillies playoff plans.  At 5.5 games back right now, if the Fish could somehow, someway sweep the Phillies, they would sit 2.5 back (2 in the loss column) with 7 games left.  Those would be 4 games against the lowly Reds and Nationals next week before closing out the season in Shea.  There is nothing automatic, nothing to be taken for granted or at all expected, but a sweep would breathe a tad more life into the already fading season.  A sweep would put more pressure on the teams in front of the Marlins than on the Fish themselves.  A sweep would be.....impossible?

Tell that to last years Rockies.

This is it.  The final stand of the year for the Marlins.  The last chance to do the unthinkable.  The final opportunity to crawl back in the race, to stay alive for the next series.  The last 3 scheduled home games of the year.  Make them ones to remember Florida.

Go Fish.

Big Swing Game

In usual Marlins-Phillies fashion, there is a rubber game today a 1pm.  Each series these two teams have played against each other has been tied after the first two games, with the Marlins winning two of the three rubber match-ups.  Quite honestly, these are the games that Florida has won all year long, when they have had a chance to rebound after a loss and stay close in the standings they have come through more often than not.  Although Cole Hamels has a decent ERA against the Marlins in his career, the Fish usually find ways to eek out a win when he is on the mound. It will be Hamels vs. Volstad in a huge game this afternoon.  With the Phillies playing the Pirates over the weekend, the Marlins aren't likely to pick up much ground on them over the next few days.  Winning today to claim the series in Philly and cut the division lead to 1.5 games would look a lot better in the standings than being down 3.5 before heading to Shea.  Go Fish!

Pictures From Last Night's Marlins Phillies Game

For pictures from last night's Phillies Marlins game, click here.

For complete coverage of the Phillies and Marlins check out Phightin' Phils Phorum, Marlins Musings, and the Marlins Phillies Rivalry page.

Phillies Even Series!

The scoreboard tells it all! The Philadelphia Phillies took game two of the three game series with the Florida Marlins. Tomorrow's game will decide the series and either give the Phillies a more comfortable 3 1/2 game lead over the Fish or a 1 1/2 game lead. Either way the Phillies are in first place tomorrow night, but a win would certainly send a message.

Cole Hamels will try to rebound from two bad starts and win his 10th game of the season. Let's go Phillies!

For complete coverage of the Phillies and Marlins check out Phightin' Phils Phorum, Marlins Musings, and the Marlins Phillies Rivalry page.

Critical series for the Fish

The Marlins and Phillies begin a three game series in Philadelphia Tuesday night, and if Florida has any hope of making the playoffs this year, winning this series is an absolute must.  It's pennant fever in the dog days of August!  This should be a great series to watch, as these two teams are pretty evenly matched and each one understands the gravity of these games.  Pitching match-ups:

Josh Johnson (1-0, 4.18 ERA) vs. Angel of Death *ahem* Jamie Moyer (10-6, 3.79 ERA)

Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 3.18 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (9-5, 4.59 ERA)

Chris Volstad (2-2, 3.25 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (9-7, 3.37 ERA)

Be sure to check out the Phillies and Marlins blogs for more insight and opinion of this big series.

Hats Off to the Marlins

The Florida Marlins showed tenacity as they came back after losing the series opener to win the next two games. They fought hard and deserved to win. Enjoy it now, August 5 is when pay back is coming!

We should start Jamie Moyer in all three games for that series!!!

Can-too!

Thanks to Jorge Cantu's game (and series)-winning fly ball, the Marlins are now just a half game back of first place and tied with the Phillies in the loss column.  Tomorrow, since the Metsies and the Phils will be preparing for their series that starts on Tuesday while Florida plays Atlanta, the Fish can pull into a first-place tie...and there is NOTHING that either team can do about it.  This was a huge series win, and a statement by the Marlins that they are not going away quietly this season.   Hamels pitched this game the way the Phillies played all weekend- just well enough not to win. 

The Marlins pitchers, led by a good start from Josh Johnson, did a great job today of shutting down everyone but Ryan Howard with runners on base.  Overall, the staff did their part in the series- 10 earned runs in 3 games against one of the Major's best offense.  Look out NL East, here come the Fish!

Extended BP??

We here at Marlins Musings would like to thank Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick for throwing Batting Practice while he was in the game.  Guess he found out the hard way why the Fish have the most home runs of any team in the Majors.  Hopefully he can pitch tomorrow too, after all he only lasted until the fourth inning so I'm sure he's got enough left in the tank to go an inning in relief....7-4 Marlins in the bottom of the 7th, bring on Waechter and Gregg!!!! Looks like it's back to a game and a half!

NO MOYER!!!!

Ok, Ok, Ok, we get it.  Jamie Moyer OWNS the Marlins.  That isn't really the ball he throws to the mound, it's a fishing line with some really good bait.  And it doesn't matter if he lobs it up at 43 MPH, he still reels in the Fish.  Seriously...If Mr. Moyer pitched in the NL East his whole career (which may only be half over the way he's going) he would have broken Cy Young's record for wins already.  Why couldn't the Phillies have shipped him off to Oakland for Blanton???

The good news for the Marlins is that the Mets also lost, and they do have 2 good pitchers with Olsen and JJ in the next two games now that Miller is going on the DL.  (Not saying that I want players to get hurt, but I'm not exactly shedding tears either). Florida must even up the series on national TV tomorrow; To stay in contention the Fish have to win the head-to-head match-ups they have left with the division. Be sure to tune in tomorrow, we all know how much love Olsen has for the Phillies...the over and under on the number of at-bats Ultey has before Scott yells at him is 1.5.

One Down, Two to Go

Jamie Moyer made it 10-0 against the Marlins while Ryan Howard and Geoff Jenkins powered the offense in a 4-2 Phillies victory at Dolphins Stadium. The Phillies move 2 1/2 games ahead of the Marlins and retake sole possession of first place from the Mets.

Phillies hater Scott Olson pitches tomorrow for the Marlins. The Phillies look to take aim at the over opinionated loud mouth. A victory over Olson will be doubly nice. For those that do not know, Olson said in September of 2006 that "he hated the Phillies and would love to end their season early." Bring it on jackass!

For complete coverage of the Phillies and Marlins check out Phightin' Phils Phorum, Marlins Musings, and the Marlins Phillies Rivalry page.

 

Preseries Quick Hits: Phillies vs. Marlins 7/18, 7/19, 7/20

The Philadelphia Phillies (52-44) and Florida Marlins (50-45) rivalry continues this evening as they begin a three game series in Miami. 1 1/2 games separate the two teams in the standing and this series will determine who stays ahead in the standings and very possibly who is in first place in the National League East.

7/18/08 at Flo Jamie Moyer (8-6 3.95) vs. Ricky Nolasco (10-4 3.70) 7:10pm CSN
7/19/08 at Flo Kyle Kendrick (8-3 4.47) vs. Scott Olson (5-4 3.77) 3:55pm Fox
7/20/08 at Flo Cole Hamels (9-6 3.15) vs. Andrew Miller (5-9 5.63) 1:05pm CW

Other Quick Hits:

• The Phillies are 127-110 all time against the Marlins.
• The Marlins have a 68-51 record at Dolphins Field.
• The Marlins are 8-4 in their last 12 games against the Phillies at home.
• The season series is tied at 3-3 in 2008.

Coming Up:
These teams meet up again August 5,6,7 at Citizens Bank Park

For complete coverage of the Phillies and Marlins check out Phightin' Phils Phorum, Marlins Musings, and the Marlins Phillies Rivalry page.

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Phillies salvage series finale

The Phillies were able to scratch out a win in the series finale against the Marlins tonight, winning 3-0 behind Jamie Moyer's 8 shutout innings.  Although the Phillies won tonight, this series was a success for the Marlins.  They were able to take 2 of 3 and pick up a game on the division leaders.  With over 90 games to go, a 3 game deficit isn't much at all. And winning the series was a small step that this team needed to take if they intend to be in contention the rest of the way.  But you gotta give it to Moyer tonight.  He was brilliant.

By winning the series, the Marlins moved to 3-3 against the Phillies this year.  They have had the lead in all but one of those games (tonight's) which shows that they can clearly hang with the best; and I can live with a 3-0 loss because Olsen, as he has done all year, gave the team a great chance to win.  I'll take an effort like he gave tonight (besides the 2 runs he gift-wrapped on the wild pitch) every day.  Philadelphia is still in the driver's seat, but Florida made a statement that they are not going to go away easily this year.

Moyer Fries Fish, Phillies Regain 3 Game Lead

The Philadelphia Phillies had a must win game tonight against the Florida Marlins. Jamie Moyer once again was up to the task throwing 8 shut out innings helping the Phillies regain a three game lead in the N.L. East. The series could have been a complete disaster had the Phillies been swept but Moyer came through as he always seems to be when the Phillies need him most.

The win is a message to the National League East that this division is ours. Sorry fish but we are the team to beat again in 2008!

Phils Need Win Tonight

Hats off to the Marlins for winning the first two games of the series but tonights game is the one of importance. If the Phillies win, the Marlins only pick up on game and the Phillies are 3 up in National League East. If they lose tonight, they only have a 1 game lead in the East.

They put the ball in the dependable hands of Jamie Moyer. I am confident in a Phillies win today!!! Let's Go Phillies!!!

His name is...DAN UGGLA!

What's the sound that the Phillies fear the most?

A.) The crack of the bat of another Marlins homer

B.) The footsteps they hear as the Marlins get closer to first place

C.) Over the loudspeaker: "Now batting, number 3, Jorge Cantu"

D.) All of the above.

I think we all know the answer.  The Fish are now just two games back of Phillies after taking the first 2 of this series.  Although Uggla grand-slammed the Marlins to victory, this game was surprisingly a well played pitching duel between Hamels and Andrew Miller. Cole struck out 13 but Jorge Cantu struck 2 homers off him to give him 3 in the series.  Andrew Miller pitched 7+ strong innings, giving up only 1 run and shockingly only 1 walk. Tomorrow the Fish go for the series sweep! Let's go Marlins!!!!

Florida takes the opener

Florida took the first game against the Phillies tonight, holding on for a 5-4 win.  The game shouldn't even have been that close, as the 3 runs the Phillies were able to claw out against Nolasco were unearned.  Hanley made an error due to a careless flip to Jacobs, giving Rollins the opportunity to crush his 2 run shot.  The Marlins however, didn't need any help to add to their league leading 98 homers.  Hanley went deep to lead off the game, and Cantu followed with a 2-run bomb to make it 3-0 before Myers recorded an out.  And right after Rollins pulled the Phillies closer, Jacobs continued the tee-ball game against Brett to give the Fish their 3 run lead back.  The Marlins pitching was terrific in this one, capped off with Gregg's 4-out save. The lone earned run allowed was a Burrell homer, but it came after Nelson struck out Utley and Howard back to back.  They were a combined 0-8 in this game. MVP THIS!!!!! The Fish draw first blood in the series, and draw a game closer to Philly.  Hamels tomorrow night. Let's keep those home runs cranking!!!!

Florida vs. Philly, round 2.

The Marlins open a three game set against the Phillies tonight, and I think that the Fish have no intention of being gracious hosts.  They sit 4 games back of Philly (which is amazing considering they were playing for first place just 9 days ago) and this team understands that they must play well and win the series to keep the Phillies close.  The Phillies are fresh off a sweep of the Braves, but remember that the Marlins swept the Diamondbacks 3 games when they had the best record in the NL.  Florida has been a inconsistent since then; It's about time they played well against a good team again.

The Fish will see Myers, Hamels and Moyer in this series, which isn't all that bad of a match-up for them.  Myers is 6-7 with a 4.89 ERA in his career against Florida and Hamels is even worse with a 2-3 mark and an ERA of almost 5.50.  The Marlins will start off with Nolasco tonight, who has won 4 of his last 5 decisions including one in Citizens Bank Park last Saturday.  And if not for the usual Andrew Miller and bullpen implosion, Florida would have won that series because they were up 5-1 against Moyer.

We all know that both teams are going to score each game- after all these are the top 2 home run hitting clubs in the Majors- and these are the best 2 offensive middle infields in the game as well.  These games will come down to which starter can last the longest and turn the lead over to the 'pen.  The Phillies have had the best relievers in the game so far this year, and despite their struggles lately, I trust a lead in the hands of Pinto, Miller, Lindstrom and Gregg.  And remember, this is not a hitter friendly park. Ryan Howard will not hit a cheapie like he did last time these teams met. The one glaring problem for Florida is that they only have 1 lefty in the 'pen to counter Utley and Howard.  I hope that doesn't burn them in this series. I really expect the Marlins to play well though.  They know what is at stake here.

"We're in June, and we've got a lot of baseball left. The biggest thing is we've got to stay close, and with them coming in, it's a chance to gain ground. We've always battled with Philly. You'd like to sweep them, but you've got to win series. That's what we've been preaching -- winning series. If we take two of three from them, it gets us closer. We've just got to try to play well and narrow that gap." ~ Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs.  Easier said than done, but I think the Fish can take 2 of three and bring the Phillies back to the pack.  Let's go Marlins!

Fish Fry Begins Tonight

The Philadelphia Phillies are in Florida in what could be a decisive series for the National League East. After the sweep at Turner Field, the East became a two team race as the Braves and Mets have fallen further back. The Marlins, 4 games back, are the last team standing right now for the Phillies.

The good news is even a Marlins sweep would not knock the Phillies out of first place. If the Phillies can win two out of three games, they could own a 5 game lead in National League East. It should be a good series as the Phillies have been hot and the Marlins have been a scrappy young team that does not quit nor get intimidated by other teams no matter who they are.

I am predicting 2 out of 3 for the Phightin' Phils. Let the showdown begin and lets go Phillies!!!

Don't forget to check out Marlins Musings and Phightin' Phils Phorum for full coverage.

Time for the Fish Fry

The red hot Phightin' Phils are heading to Florida to take on the Marlins in an NL East show down. The Phillies just tomahawked the Braves in Atlanta and are ready for a fish fry in Miami. Baseballs best team is poised to take a huge lead in the NL East and the Marlins are the only thing standing in their way. With the top of the rotation taking the mound, this should be an easy 2 out of 3 series for the Phillies.

The Marlins have never been an easy opponent for the Phils but this time may be different. This Phillies team is a unit of 25 guys that never quit and rely on each other to win ballgames. Look out Marlins, here we come!

Welcome

Welcome to MyTeamRivals.com's official site for insight, news, and discussion about the rivalry between the Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins. Paul and I will be hosting the site and we look forward to your comments as well. This is a new site so check back often as new content will be added regularly!