The Philadelphia Phillies, who have won six consecutive games, appear headed to their first division title since 2011.
About the only thing that might derail the Phillies (85-56) is a barrage of injuries.
On Saturday, when the Phillies play the host Miami Marlins (52-89) in the third of four games in the weekend series, manager Rob Thomson will be missing two starters.
Third baseman Alec Bohm was placed on the injured list on Friday due to a strained left hand. Later that night, catcher J.T. Realmuto — a former Marlins star — sustained a left knee contusion during Philadelphia’s 16-2 win.
Bohm, who hasn’t played since Aug. 29, wasn’t recovering quickly enough.
“We want to make sure we’re taking our time and not rushing him back,” Thomson said on Friday. “Hopefully it will be 10 more days and he’s ready to go.”
Kody Clemens filled in for Bohm at third base on Friday and went 3-for-6 with an RBI double.
Realmuto was replaced by Garrett Stubbs in the fourth inning, two innings after Realmuto fouled a ball off his knee. Stubbs went 0-for-3 with an RBI.
Thomson said of Realmuto, “He’s fine. … Stubbs, he’s playing (Saturday) anyway — that was planned. So it’ll be good for (Realmuto) to have a day off.”
The Marlins were hurt in the game by the late scratch of starting pitcher Edward Cabrera. Miami turned to Austin Kitchen, who got hammered in his first major league start, allowing seven runs (six earned) and nine hits in two innings.
“I found out at 5:30 p.m.,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said of the late change. “(Cabrera) called the trainer and said he was on his way to the hospital. He felt he had a migraine.
“We had to adjust and go with a bullpen game. It was a tough spot for our bullpen. They did the best they could. Things didn’t go our way. We got our (rear) kicked.”
The Phillies set season highs for runs and hits (22), and the Marlins had to use five pitchers and also outfielder David Hensley, who took the mound for the final two innings.
All of that will affect the game Saturday as the Marlins are short on rested relievers.
“We’re going to need some fresh arms,” Schumaker said. “Without sugarcoating it, we’re in trouble if we don’t make a couple of moves.”
The Marlins are in a huge hole because they have several starting pitchers on the injured list, including former National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara as well as Eury Perez, Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, Sixto Sanchez and Ryan Weathers. In addition, they traded Trevor Rogers just before the deadline.
In the bullpen, the Marlins traded closer Tanner Scott as well as A.J. Puk, Huascar Brazoban and JT Chargois. In addition, relievers Andrew Nardi and Anthony Bender are injured.
On Saturday, the Marlins will start Darren McCaughan (0-0, 8.24 ERA). The 28-year-old right-hander, making his third major league start and 12th appearance, has never faced Philadelphia.
In his most recent outing, McCaughan permitted four runs (three earned) over four-plus innings in a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.
The Phillies will counter with 31-year-old right-hander Aaron Nola (12-6, 3.29 ERA).
This is the sixth year in which Nola has registered double-figure wins. He is coming off a no-decision against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, when he gave up two runs in six innings.
In 24 career starts against Miami, Nola is 5-11 with a 3.60 ERA. In 11 starts in Miami, Nola is 4-5 with a 2.97 ERA. He lost to the Marlins on June 29 in Philadelphia after allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
