The Miami Marlins will play their final series of the first half against the San Francisco Giants beginning on Friday.
With a 38-46 record, Miami has clinched a losing mark at the All-Star break. Still, the Marlins can do a lot for their hopes in the second half with a series win. As the trade deadline nears, the Marlins find themselves ten games out of a playoff spot. Reducing the deficit to a single digit, could be pivotal for the young club.
The Giants have one of the worst records in the National League, but play better at home. AT&T Park in San Francisco is known for being a pitcher-friendly ballpark and the Marlins will have two solid pitchers make starts in the series.
In the series opener, Dan Straily will make the start for Miami. The right-hander owns a 6-4 record this season and Miami has won each of Straily's last four starts. With a 3.51 E.R.A, Straily has been a consistent arm for the Marlins all season long. In limited action, Straily has held San Francisco's lineup to a .157 average and a .218 on-base percentage.
In the middle game of the three-game set, Vance Worley will start for Miami. Worley has moved into Jeff Locke's spot in the rotation, after Locke was designated for assignment. Worley is 0-2 with a 6.31 E.R.A, but he has looked as of late in Miami's bullpen. The Marlins do not have many options in the minor leagues and will need Worley to step up in this one.
In the last game of the series, the Marlins will turn to Jose Urena. Miami's de facto ace is 7-3 with a 3.43 E.R.A this season. Urena has been Miami's most consistent pitcher since joining the rotation and will look to end the first half in style.
Giancarlo Stanton found his home run stroke in St. Louis and will look to bring that into San Francisco. With the Home Run Derby just days away, Stanton could continue to give a preview of the event in this series. Marcell Ozuna and Justin Bour will look to pad their numbers in the power department as well, after some solid work against the Cardinals.
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Friday's series opener will begin at 10:15 p.m.
