The NL East Division leaders Florida Marlins will attempt to increase their slim half-game lead over the second place Philadelphia Phillies when the teams begin a weekend series at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia at 7:05 p.m. ET Friday. This is a crucial series for both clubs as the series winner will emerge on top of the division. The Phillies will send RHP Mike Myers (2-6, 5.79 ERA) to the mound while the Marlins plan to go with LHP Mark Hendrickson (7-2, 4.14 ERA).
Oddsmakers at online sportsbook Bodog (Bodoglife.com) have installed the Phillies as 154-money line favorites with a 10 1/2 run total.
On Sunday against the Giants, Hendrickson allowed five earned runs, while throwing 97 pitches — 56 for strikes. He struck out five and walked two, but benefited from four home runs hit by the Marlins to pick up his seventh victory. Hendrickson didn't have his best stuff — he scattered nine hits — but did battle out of several jams, including a first-and-third jam with one out in the fifth. Hendrickson struck out Rich Aurilia and Travis Denker to end that threat.
In his last outing, Myers lost his fourth straight start as he went six innings and allowed four runs on eight hits in a 4-3 defeat at Houston. Myers threw a season-high four walks and tied his season low with only two strikeouts. Myers has five losses and two no-decisions in his past seven starts and hasn't won since April 17 against the Astros in Philadelphia. For his career, he's 5-7 with a 5.01 ERA in 25 games against Florida.
The Marlins fell 7-6 to the Mets as +135 underdogs in the rubber match on Wednesday. The game's 13 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
Cody Ross belted two home runs and finished with four RBIs in a losing effort for the Marlins. Justin Miller gave up two runs in suffering the loss.
Chase Utley and Geoff Jenkins belted home runs in a five-run fifth inning on Wednesday, as the Phillies defeated the Rockies 6-1. The Phillies won the game as -155 favorites, but the seven runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (10).
Utley and Jenkins both drove in three runs apiece for the Phillies. Adam Eaton tossed six innings for the win, allowing one run off four hits.
The Phillies have won four straight games while the Marlins have lost two in a row.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Picks: Phillies -154.
