Morgan starts as Phillies face Stanton, Wild Card-hopeful Marlins

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — Left-hander Adam Morgan and the Philadelphia Phillies (65-82) will begin their third-to-last home series of the season as they take on five-year veteran RHP Tom Koehler and the Miami Marlins (73-73) Friday evening at Citizens Bank Park.

Thirteen of the Phillies' final 15 games this season will be played against National League East division opponents. Their 15-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in Thursday's series finale secured their third straight losing season at home and fourth straight losing season overall. It was the first time in franchise history that their bullpen allowed nine or more runs in 2 1/3 innings or less.

The Marlins, who are looking for their first postseason berth since 2003, currently trail the New York Mets by four games for the second spot in the National League Wild Card. The St. Louis Cardinals also currently sit ahead of Miami, one game behind the 2015 National League champions.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Tom Koehler — Age: 30;

• Last Start: Sept. 10, 2016, vs. LAD: L, 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 3 HR
• Career vs. PHI: (4-4), 15 G, 13 GS, 81.2 IP, 69 H, 39 R, 31 ER, 28 BB, 68 SO, 7 HR, 3.42 ERA

Koehler has not had a winning decision in six straight starts dating back to August 14 against the White Sox. Since then, he is 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA, .292/.338/.540 opposing slash and a 29-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 34 innings.

The right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.29 ERA in four starts and 28 innings this season against the Phillies.

Adam Morgan — Age: 26;

• Last Start: Sept. 11, 2016, at WSN: L, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
• Career vs. MIA: (1-0), 2 G, 2 GS, 12.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 SO, 2.19 ERA

Morgan has allowed two earned runs or less in five of his last six starts. He has yet to record a win through 10 games and nine starts at home this season (0-6), posting a 5.62 ERA and 1.409 WHIP ratio.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton returns to the lineup for the first time since suffering a Grade 3 groin strain while running the bases on August 13.
• Since August 16, the Phillies are batting a MLB-worst .167 (34-204) with runners in scoring position. They managed just six hits with RISP over their most recent four-game series against the Pirates.
• The Marlins have lost 12 out of their last 17 games.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016: vs. Miami Marlins, 7:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
  
• RHP Jose Urena (4-6, 4.89 ERA) vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson (11-9, 3.76 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP