The Phillies come home after completing a spun-their-wheels series in New York that saw them gain just a game in the standings very, very late in the season. They start a seven-game homestand with three games against the Florida Marlins, who managed to hang in the divisional race for most of the season, only to fall well out of contention within the last month, now sitting 8 games back of the division-leading Mets, and 6 games behind the Phillies.
The Phillies send Joe Blanton to the mound, who is coming off a rather poor showing against the Nationals last week, that saw him give up four runs, six hits, and three walks in just four innings pitched. Waistline notwithstanding, Blanton hasn't been the "innings eater" he's been promised to be.
Anibal Sanchez, who for the most part has struggled this season, starts for Florida.