The NL East Division leading Philadelphia Phillies will look to get back on a winning track tonight after losing the first of a three game set to the second-place Florida Marlins on Tuesday. The Phillies will send their new found left handed ace Cole Hamels (6-4, 3.36 ERA) to the mound while the Marlins will counter with another lefty Andrew Miller (4-5, 5.65 ERA). A win here for Florida would help close the gap between the two clubs. Coming into the series the Phillies had a 3.5 games divisional lead over the Marlins. MLB Betting oddsmakers at online sportsbook Bodog (Bodoglife.com) currently have the Phillies listed as 158-moneyline favorites versus the Marlins, while the game's total is sitting at 8½.
At least in the first inning, Miller's last outing started off pretty promising. He fanned the first two batters he faced, but he labored after that. In a loss to the Reds, the 23-year-old gave up four runs in a 3 1/3 innings, matching his season low for innings pitched. He has now dropped two of his last three decisions. On June 1 at Philadelphia, he worked five innings, but was not involved in the decision. He exited with a two-run lead that wasn't preserved.
Hamels was back to his old self in his most recent start. He threw the second shutout of his career, holding the Reds to three hits while striking out four and walking three. The lefty was happy with his ability to locate fastballs low in the zone against Cincinnati, something he had struggled with in his two previous starts, when he allowed 13 runs over 9 2/3 innings. In five career starts against the Marlins, Hamels is 2-3 with a 5.46 ERA.
Jorge Cantu went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, as the Marlins clipped the Phillies 5-4 on Tuesday night.
Florida won as +106 home underdogs as the game played under the 9.5-run total posted by oddsmakers.
Mike Jacobs also hit a two-run jack for the Marlins, while winning pitcher Ricky Nolasco gave up three unearned runs over six innings for Florida.
Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run big fly for Philadelphia, as Brett Myers allowed five runs over 5 1-3 innings to take the loss for the Phillies.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Betting Pick: Phillies -158 ML
