Marlins vs Royals: Game Thread 127

After losing the first game Tuesday night the Marlins snapped the Royals nine game winning streak last night, and look to win the series tonight. Since the all star break the best pitcher for the Marlins has been Tom Koehler (9-8) not Jose Fernandez. In Koehler's six starts since the all star break he is 3-0 with a 1.62 ERA, he has been nothing short of dominate as the Marlins are 5-2 over his last seven starts.

The Royals will look to counter with Edison Volquez (9-10), but he has been trending in the opposite direction from Koehler. Volquez only has one win in his last seven starts and is 3-7 with an ERA over six in eleven road starts and in his last five starts his ERA has ballooned to 7.16. However if Volquez, who is 6-0 in seven career starts versus the Marlins, can have Royals ahead or tied once the game gets to the bullpen then Royals have the advantage as Royals relievers have pitched a franchise record thirty four consecutive scoreless innings.

Since the Giancarlo Stanton injury the Marlins have been looking to make a trade and they will have a new arrival tonight as Jeff Francoeur was acquired from the Atlanta Braves. Francoeur has seven home runs on the season figures to make up some of the power lost from losing Stanton.

Also look for who starts at shortstop for the Marlins while Adeiny Hechavarria has been the starter, but he came off the bench last night to make a spectacular catch in the ninth inning, mamger Don Mattingly seems to favor MIguel Rojas. While Hechavarria is gold glove type shortstop and Rojas has never been an everyday starter is more versatile and can play any spot in the infield.