Adam Morgan and catcher A.J. Ellis have worked well together lately, hooking up for three straight quality starts, but Cameron Rupp is behind the plate to catch Morgan Friday night.
With Ellis behind the plate and armed with a new sinker, Morgan has allowed just five runs in 18⅔ innings in his last three starts, lowering his ERA from 6.50 to 5.73 (see game notes). Ellis was long regarded for his game-calling ability with the Dodgers, but he probably won't be here next year so there was no sense in making Ellis his personal catcher.
Plus, Rupp offers much more offense. Ellis is hitting .193 with a .273 slugging percentage. Rupp is hitting .256 with a .455 slugging percentage.
It's been a breakout offensive season for Rupp, but he has slowed since the All-Star break, hitting just .210 with a .660 OPS after hitting .287 with an .836 OPS in the first half. In September, Rupp is 7 for 35 (.200) with one homer, one walk and 14 strikeouts.
Andres Blanco starts in place of Maikel Franco at third base and bats third. Franco hasn't seen Marlins right-hander Tom Koehler well, going 2 for 17 against him. Franco went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts on Thursday night, and he hasn't homered in his last 88 plate appearances. Franco is stuck on 22 home runs.
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Roman Quinn, LF
3. Andres Blanco, 3B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Cameron Rupp, C
6. Odubel Herrera, CF
7. Freddy Galvis, SS
8. Aaron Altherr, RF
9. Adam Morgan, P
Giancarlo Stanton is in the Marlins' starting lineup for the first time since injuring his groin on Aug. 13. Stanton, thought to be out for the season, surprisingly returned from the DL on Sept. 6 against the Phillies, but since then he's made just five pinch-hit appearances.
MLB
Stanton bats second for the first time in his career.
1. Dee Gordon, 2B
2. Giancarlo Stanton, RF
3. Martin Prado, 3B
4. Christian Yelich, CF
5. Marcell Ozuna, LF
6. J.T. Realmuto, C
7. Justin Bour, 1B
8. Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
9. Tom Koehler, P