The Phillies knocked off the home team Marlins on Wednesday, scoring 4 runs against the bullpen to win. The Phillies need wins to keep their wild card hopes alive this season. It is the worst vs the first in offense on Thursday. The Phillies are flying at .296/.863. Not so the Marlins at .217/.601 over the last two weeks. Miami is just 3 and 7, managing just 2 runs against Philadelphia in their last two starts.

The Marlins pitching, including relievers, has struggled almost akin to their bats of late. Thursday’s starter Lopez who has had some very good moments this season, has regressed lately and is 1-4, 6.17 in his last 7 games. He gave up 8 runs in 3+ innings in his last start. A couple of H’s, Hoskins and Harper have had Lopez’s number in previous meetings.

Syndergaard starts for the Phillies and has pitched reasonably well in his last two starts. He is no longer overpowering, so don’t look for shutout innings from him any more. The Phillies, bullpen has been reasonable in relief lately.

Neither starter has pitched especially well lately, but the Phillies are the far better offense with a more effective bullpen, and the motivation to win. Look for the Phillies to break out the brooms on Thursday. Phillies to win.