Cliff Lee, Kevin Slowey Face-Off In Rubber Match

The Phillies had an offensive explosion last night. Ryan Howard led the charge with three hits along with three RBIs. The Phillies would score seven runs last night to take game two of the series. It's a shame that they couldn't share any runs with Cole Hamels on Monday, but that can't be changed. They will look to continue the offensive output against the Marlins tonight in the series finale. Cliff Lee (4-2, 2.83 ERA) will take on Kevin Slowey (1-4, 3.44 ERA) as both teams look for a series win.

Cliff Lee was solid his last time out. On Friday against Cincinnati, Lee allowed two earned runs through seven innings of work. Lee walked two and struck out seven, but took the no-decision. Lee has been fantastic through his last three starts, going 2-0 and posting a 1.63 ERA (4 ER in 22 IP). Lee has not pitched against the Marlins this season despite the Phils playing them in two other series. Lee will look for run support as he attempts to shut down the Marlin's lineup. In his career against Miami, Lee is 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA (16 ER in 53 2/3 IP).

Kevin Slowey is coming off of his worst start of the season last Friday against Arizona. After surrending just four home runs throughout his first eight starts of the year, Slowey gave up three on Friday. Slowey was tagged for six earned runs in all through three innings. Slowey had issues with command in his start prior to Friday's. He allowed a season-high 11 hits on five earned runs against the Dodgers. Tonight will be Slowey's third start of the year against the Phillies as well as third overall start against them in his career. So far he is 1-0 with a 0.68 ERA (1 ER in 13 1/3 IP). Back on May 5th, Slowey held the Phils to just two hits through seven innings. 

Game Notes:

• Chase Utley will sit out tonight's game and will undergo an MRI tomorrow.
• Ben Revere is 6-for-13 (.462) in his last three games.
• Marlins reliever Ryan Webb's scoreless innings streak (17 1/3 IP) ended yesterday. Jonathan Papelbon now has the longest scoreless innings streak having not allowed a run in 16 2/3 innings. He also has eight saves.

Phillies lineup:

1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Ben Revere CF
3. Michael Young 3B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Delmon Young RF
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Freddy Galvis 2B
8. Erik Kratz C
9. Cliff Lee P

Marlins lineup:

1. Adeiny Hechavarria SS
2. Placido Polanco 3B 
3. Derek Dietrich 2B 
4. Marcell Ozuna RF 
5. Justin Ruggiano CF 
6. Chris Coghlan LF 
7. Nick Green 1B 
8. Jeff Mathis C 
9. Kevin Slowey P

First Pitch Forecast: Mostly Cloudy – 76°- 30% PoP

TV: myPHL17
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT

Let's Go Phillies!

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