Phillies at Marlins: Series Preview

Aug 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Asher (49) makes his way to the dugout before his first Major League start against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park. (Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)

PITCHING MATCHUPS

TUESDAY: Aaron Harang (5-15, 5.04 ERA) vs Tom Koehler (10-13, 3.90 ERA) – the Phillies have not publicly announced the starting pitcher for the opener as of mid-afternoon on Tuesday. The 37-year old veteran Harang has been able to give the Phillies a minimum of 5 innings in 24 of his 26 starts, and was somewhat effective in his last outing 9 days against in a game that the team won vs the Cubs. He was signed to eat up innings during a losing, transitional year. At least he is doing that much. Koehler has allowed fewer hits than innings pitched, but is prone to handing out free passes. He has gone at least 6 innings in 3/4 of his 29 starts, and has delivered 3 consecutive Quality Starts for the Fish.

WEDNESDAY: David Buchanan (2-9, 8.49 ERA) vs Adam Conley (4-1, 4.22 ERA) – in total, Buchanan has been given a dozen starts by the Phillies this season, and he has been abysmal. However, in his last start exactly one week ago vs the Nationals, the 26-year old righty ended a streak of 3 consecutive starts in which he was bombed. Against the Nats, Buchanan delivered 6 innings, allowing just 2 earned runs, 5 hits, and 1 walk. Conley is a 25-year old rookie lefty who has appeared in a dozen games for the Fish. This will be the 8th start of his big league career, and he is coming off a gem against the division-leading New York Mets. In that outing a week ago, Conley shut the Mets out on 3 hits across 7 innings in which he struck out 6 and walked no one.

THURSDAY: Alec Asher (0-4, 9.78 ERA) vs Jarred Cosart (2-4, 4.43 ERA) – the Fish have not publicly announced a starter for this one, and it could turn out to be their ace, Jose Fernandez, who gets the nod. However, with Fernandez coming off TJ surgery, and with nothing to play for in the standings, there is no need to rush the righty. Cosart returned after a two month demotion to AAA, and has made 3 September starts. His last outing will have been a week before this, and was one of his best, allowing just 2 earned on 3 hits across 6 innings in earning a win vs Washington. The 23-year old rookie Asher has been given 4 starts since being acquired as part of the Hamels deal. He has yet to deliver what could be termed an effective outing.

Next: PHILLIES-MARLINS SERIES KEYS