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Game 2 of 5: Marlins @ Phillies Preview, 7:05 PM EST

Willis seeks first victory since July 7
Florida (48-53) at Philadelphia (46-54), 7:05 p.m. ET

The Game Details…

Next Game: Sat., July 29 @ 7:05 p.m. ET
TV: Sun Sports | Radio: WQAM 560, WQBA 1140 (Sp.)
Internet Audio: Gameday Audio
Gametracker: Gameday
Up Next: • Sunday, Game 1: Marlins (RHP Anibal Sanchez, 4-0, 3.00) at Phillies (RHP Ryan Madson, 8-7, 6.18), 1:35 p.m. ET
• Sunday Game 2: Marlins (RHP Brian Moehler, 5-7, 6.84) at Phillies (LHP Randy Wolf, 6-4, 4.39 in 2005), 7:35 p.m. ET
• Monday: Marlins (RHP Josh Johnson, 8-5, 2.60) at Phillies (RHP Jon Lieber, 4-7, 5.52), 1:05 p.m. ET

The Game Notes…

Brilliant starting pitching continues to keep the Marlins competitive on a daily basis. Ricky Nolasco’s magnificent performance on Friday night gave the Marlins Game 1 in the five-game series with the Phillies. Nolasco gave up one hit and no runs in 7 1/3 innings, highlighting a 4-1 victory. Coupled with the Braves losing to the Mets on Friday, the Marlins are a half-game ahead of Atlanta for second place in the NL East. Now 3-1 on the road trip, the Marlins send Dontrelle Willis to the mound on Saturday. Willis (6-7) is looking to get back in the win column. The left-hander last celebrated a victory on July 7 against the Mets. The D-Train is 4-3 with a 2.49 ERA in 11 road starts, and the 24-year-old is 5-4 (3.53 ERA) lifetime against the Phillies. At Citizens Bank Park, Willis is 2-1 with a 4.24 ERA in four starts.

The Numbers…

Games over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 23-20 in past games against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
The average score in these games was PHILADELPHIA 6, FLORIDA 5

Games this season
PHILADELPHIA is 3-2 in past games against FLORIDA this season
The average score in these games was PHILADELPHIA 5, FLORIDA 4

All games at PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 11-11 in past games against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
The average score in these games was PHILADELPHIA 6, FLORIDA 5

Games played at PHILADELPHIA this season.
FLORIDA is 2-1 in past games against PHILADELPHIA this season
The average score in these games was FLORIDA 3, PHILADELPHIA 3

DONTRELLE WILLIS vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
WILLIS is 5-4 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 3.53 and a WHIP of 1.052.

COLE HAMELS vs. FLORIDA since 1997
No recent starts.

The Pitchers…

FLA: LHP Dontrelle Willis (6-7, 3.79)
Coming off a no-decision against the Pirates, Willis strives to even his record. The D-Train last won on July 7 against the Mets. Willis continues to log innings. He has gone at least six innings in 13 consecutive starts. This season the left-hander is 0-1 against the Phillies. On May 1, he gave up eight runs in 7 1/3 innings.

Dontrelle

PHI: LHP Cole Hamels (2-5, 5.98)
Hamels had a strange and eventful outing his last time out in a loss to Atlanta. Hamels struck out 12 in his first two trips through the batting order. He struck out the side in the first, third and fourth innings, but everything changed in the fifth, as he gave up five runs on four hits and a walk. He left the game after giving up seven runs in 5 1/3 innings. Hamels, who will face the Marlins for the first time, has 62 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings.

Cole Hamels

The Player To Watch…

PHI: 1B Ryan Howard (AVG .282 | HR 33 | RBI 82 | OBP .358 | SLG .597)
Phillies slugger Ryan Howard belted his 33rd home run on Friday, and the All-Star first baseman now has 82 RBIs.

Ryan Howard