A.J. Burnett Kicks Off Three-Game Series With Marlins, Jose Fernandez

After coming into their first homestand of the season with a 3-3 record, the Phillies have exited their first series at home with a 3-6 record after falling to the Milwaukee Brewers three times in a row. With a looming chance that they will start the season with a 3-7 record, the Phillies will send A.J. Burnett (0-1, 3.86 ERA) to the mound in his first home start as a Phillie to take on the Miami Marlins (5-5). On the hill for the fish will be the reigning Rookie of the Year, Jose Fernandez (2-0, 0.71 ERA).

A.J. Burnett has made two starts this season and they have resulted in a lack of run support as well as a lack of keeping runners off the basepaths. On Sunday in Chicago, Burnett allowed eight runs (four earned) on five hits through 5 2/3 innings of work. With six walks and three strike outs, Burnett continues to struggle with his command. Having walked eight batters in 11 2/3 innings this year, Burnett has walked more than he has struck out. He will look to turn it around as he takes on his former Marlins team in the series opener. In his career against Miami, Burnett is 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA.

So far this year Jose Fernandez has carried over his dominance from last season. In his first two starts of the year, Fernandez has allowed an earned run and has combined for 19 strikeouts. Last time out, against the Padres on Saturday, Fernandez threw 6 2/3 scoreless frames – allowing three hits with eight K's. Fernandez owns a great track record against the Phillies in his lifetime, which he will look to take advantage of tonight. Aiming to get his team above .500, Fernandez will make his fourth career start against the Phils – his second at CBP. In three starts, Fernandez is 1-0 with a 0.50 ERA.

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Game Notes:

• Ben Revere (.293 avg) is getting the night off tonight as Tony Gwynn Jr. will get the start in center.
• Jose Fernandez got his first career win at Citizens Bank Park back in May of last year. He tossed seven, one-hit innings against the Phils.
• The Phillies re-instated Freddy Galvis from the DL this morning – sending Cesar Hernandez back to Double-A to compensate.

Tonight's Lineups:

Phillies lineup:

1. Tony Gwynn Jr. CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Marlon Byrd RF
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Carlos Ruiz C
8. Cody Asche 3B
9. A.J. Burnett P.

Marlins lineup:

1. Christian Yelich LF
2. Marcell Ozuna CF
3. Giancarlo Stanton RF
4. Garrett Jones 1B
5. Casey McGehee 3B
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
7. Derek Dietrich 2B
8. Adeiny Hechavarria SS
9. Jose Fernandez P.

First Pitch: 7:05 PM ET
Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Weather: 71° – Cloudy – Some rain likely.
TV: TCN

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI