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| Ranger Suarez has emerged as an early Cy Young Award candidate. | PHOTO: Pete Reiser, SLAM |
Manager Rob Thomson disclosed earlier this week that the Phillies will maintain their rotation order for the upcoming series, despite some speculation that they might opt for a six-starter rotation due to a stretch of playing 10 consecutive days after an off day on Thursday. Consequently, Ranger Suárez, Taijuan Walker, and Zack Wheeler are slated to take the mound against the Marlins, aiming to extend the Phillies' winning momentum.
The Phillies enter the weekend with the best record in baseball (26-12) and carry a two game lead over the Braves in the NL East. In fact, it's the third-best start through 38 games for the club in its 142-season history.
“We’ve really played well,” manager Rob Thomson said following Wednesday's contest with the Blue Jays. “We’ve played well on the road, too. Today was one of those days. But I’m really happy with where the club’s at right now. It was a really good homestand. I always say you’ve got to win within your division and you’ve got to win at home if you want to win the division. We accomplished that.”
The Marlins are fresh off a 1-5 road trip and are 4-9 in their last 13 contests. The club also dealt away two-time batting champion Luis Arraez last week, sending him to San Diego.
In exchange, the Marlins received right-handed reliever Woo-Suk Go and three prospects: OFs Dillon Head (Padres No. 6 prospect) and Jakob Marsee (No. 9) and 1B/OF Nathan Martorella (No. 13).
At 10-29, the Fish are tied with the White Sox for the second fewest wins in baseball.
Lefty Trevor Rogers will start Friday's series opener. He's 0-5 with a 6.15 ERA. The Phillies will counter with Suarez who is 6-0 and carrying a 1.72 ERA.
