Miami Marlins (2-4) vs Philadelphia Phillies (2-3)
The National League East should be very interesting this year. Miami did a lot in the offseason to improve and Philadelphia has come back to the pack due to injury.
Miami Marlins vs Philadelphia Phillies
Thursday April 12
Citizen Bank Park – Philadelphia, PA
7:05PM
Moneyline: Miami -110, Philadelphia +110
O/U: 8.5
Probable Starters: MIA: Mark Buehrle vs. PHI: Joe Blanton
Miami
This is the third game of the first series between these two teams this year (Game 2 is being played as this is being written). Miami hasn’t come roaring out of the gate but a series victory would be an early validation of their investments and give their fans something to talk about other than Ozzie.
If his first start is any indication then it looks like it is business as usual for transplanted White Sox hurler Mark Buehrle. His first start didn’t yield a win but 6 innings with just two runs allowed normally will. Having spent so much time in the American League Buehrle has only faced the Phillies three times in his career. He has a perfect 3-0 record but the peripheral numbers are not great. He has never faced them in their current ballpark. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Philadelphia
The Phillies are experiencing their worst nightmare to open the season. They are getting quality performance from their pitching – a league best whip under 1 – but their offense has been futile without mainstays Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. Thursday will be the first turn for forgotten fifth starter Joe Blanton. To keep him sharp he pitched a couple of outs in relief but wasn’t very sharp in that outing.
Philadelphia currently has a pretty punchless lineup. Heading into to Wednesday night they have hit just one homer and were averaging a meager 2 runs per game. Howard and Utley are expected to return this year but how effective they can be remains to be seen. Right now they need Jimmy Rollins to roll back the clock and become a force with his combination of pop and speed…and Hunter Pence can not afford a slump.
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: Philadelphia 4 – Miami 3