BASEBALL: Phils' Aaron Nola eyes bounce-back start, series win vs. Marlins

Not much has gone right for Aaron Nola over his last two starts, and the Philadelphia Phillies right-hander will be looking to reset when he takes the mound on Monday in the series finale against the Miami Marlins.

On the other side, Janson Junk has been in strong form, delivering two of his best outings of the season as Miami continues its four-game set at home.

Nola (1-3, 6.03 ERA) has been inconsistent this season and enters the matchup hoping to snap out of a rough stretch. Over his last two starts, he has allowed 11 runs on 13 hits, including three home runs, while issuing seven walks across just nine innings. He has also had an extended break, having not pitched since April 26.

“Eight days is a lot,” Nola said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I’m not going to lie.”

Command has been a major issue for the 32-year-old right-hander, who has struggled to consistently locate his pitches this year. The introduction of the ABS challenge system has added another layer of adjustment for pitchers across the league.

“I’ve got to be me and pitch how I usually pitch,” Nola said. “We can’t completely change who we are. We have to adjust to it, not let it change our strengths.”

Nola also has a difficult history against Miami, going 5-12 with a 3.72 ERA in 25 career appearances against the Marlins.

He will need to be especially careful with Miami infielder Otto Lopez, who has been hot throughout the series, going 7-for-14 with three RBIs and three runs scored while carrying a six-game hitting streak into the finale.

On the mound for Miami, Junk (2-2, 3.00 ERA) has been impressive, allowing just four hits over his last 11 scoreless innings across two starts. In his most recent outing, he limited the Los Angeles Dodgers to three singles over six innings while striking out four in a 2-1 win.

“He set the tone on the mound,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. “He attacked the strike zone, mixed his pitches well, and executed. He was very efficient.”

The 30-year-old right-hander has made one career appearance against Philadelphia, holding a 1.93 ERA in that outing.

The Phillies have taken two of the first three games in the series and have won five of their last six overall since a recent managerial change, setting the stage for a decisive matchup between two right-handers heading in opposite directions. -Field Level Media/Reuters