Miami Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview

The Miami Marlins (2-4) and Philadelphia Phillies (2-3) will close out a three-game National League East series on Thursday night inside Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Marlins as minus-115 road favorites, while the total stands at eight across the board.

Miami was handed a 7-1 loss in Wednesday night’s contest, which also served as the first of five games without Ozzie Guillen in the dugout.  The first-year manager was suspended five games by MLB for comments that he made to Time magazine about Cuba’s Fidel Castro.

The Marlins had split the first two games in the series. They own a 60-93 all-time record when playing in Philadelphia, including a 34-42 mark when playing inside Citizens Bank Park.

Mark Buehrle (0-1, 3.00 ERA) is use to the Guillen’s antics on-and-off the field, coming to South Florida after spending time together with the Chicago White Sox.

The left-hander will be making his second start for his new team, coming off a 4-0 road loss to the Cincinnati Reds on April 5, when he gave up two runs and seven hits over six innings of work.

Buehrle has a perfect 3-0 record and 5.06 ERA in three career starts versus the Phillies, but hasn’t faced them since Aug. 30, 2004. 

Bettors may fade the Marlins due to their starting pitcher’s dislike for cold weather, especially in-between innings as mentioned in a MLB.com article:

“I’d always rather throw when it’s hot and sweaty and come off the field after an inning or two when you’re actually sweating,” Buehrle said.

Philadelphia is definitely one of the toughest teams to beat in its own building, posting a 52-29 record a season ago, which was made possible due to a pitching staff that finished with a 2.83 home ERA.

Roy Halladay did his part to continue that success last night, tossing seven innings of one-run ball in collecting his second victory in as many starts this season.

The Phillies are hoping that Joe Blanton is able to build off that momentum, as he makes his second appearance (first start) of the 2012 campaign. He allowed one run on two hits and recorded just two outs in a relief appearance against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 7.

Blanton has garnered a solid 6-2 record and 3.33 ERA in nine lifetime starts versus the Marlins. Including a 6-4 road victory in his only outing last year when he surrendered three runs on eight hits over five frames.

The betting public will definitely be drawn to the Phillies’ 20-8 record in his last 28 home starts.

Weather forecasts suggest game-time temperatures in the low-50s, with a slight northwesterly breeze of 5-10 mph (left to right).

Total players will find that the “over” was 14-10 in that situation during the 2011 season.

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