Cody Ross played 120 games for the Marlins last season, but became a postseason hero for the San Francisco Giants. Tuesday night will mark Ross' first game against his former team as a member of the Giants.
The Florida Marlins are on the West Coast for the first time in 2011. The Marlins begin a three-game-series with the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. The Marlins come in with a 26-19 record after an impressive home series that saw Florida take two of three from the first place Tampa Bay Rays. San Francisco is currently 27-19 and leading the National League West. The Fish trail the Philadelphia Phillies by two games in the National League East. Florida’s series in San Francisco begins a nine-game-road-trip out west for the Marlins. As of now, the Fish are a National League best 12-7 on the road.
Playing Well Against the Best
Florida’s series at San Francisco pits the Marlins against another first place team. Against teams presently in first place, the Florida Marlins are 6-6. The Marlins are also 12-9 against teams that currently have winning records.
Power Surge for Stanton in May
Right fielder Mike Stanton leads the Florida Marlins with 10 home runs with eight coming in the month of May. Not only have Stanton’s bombs been of the tape measure variety, but they have come in clutch situations. Last Monday, Stanton’s 450 foot blast to dead center of Citi Field tied the game at one in the seventh inning. Earlier this month, Stanton smacked a two-run-shot in the ninth inning in St. Louis, which turned out to be the difference in a 8-7 Florida victory. The Marlins’ right fielder also had a three-run-homer back in late April against the Colorado Rockies. That shot came in the bottom of the eighth and turned a 3-3 tie into a 6-3 Marlins’ victory. During the month of May, Stanton has raised his average 22 points in addition to the eight long-balls.
Pitching Matchups
Tuesday – Ricky Nolasco (FLA) 3-0, 3.32 ERA vs. Matt Cain (SF) 3-2, 3.28 ERA
Wednesday – Chris Volstad (FLA) 2-3, 5.73 ERA vs. Madison Bumgarner (SF) 1-6, 3,71 ERA
Thursday – Anibal Sanchez (FLA) 3-1, 3.02 ERA vs. Ryan Vogelsong (SF) 3-0, 1.93 ERA
