=== Florida Marlins Team Report - September 21 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The Florida Marlins aim to continue their domination of the Philadelphia Phillies, as the teams begin a three-game series tonight at Pro Player Stadium.

The Marlins are 11-1 against Philadelphia this season and incredibly have won 23 of the last 26 matchups. The teams last met July 26-29 in Miami with the Marlins winning all four meetings and outscoring the Phillies, 31-9. Florida has won an impressive 14 straight against Philadelphia at Pro Player Stadium. The Marlins are 7-0 at home versus Philadelphia this season, last losing April 2, 2003.

Florida comes into tonight's play with its playoff hopes fading fast. The Marlins are 4 1/2 games behind San Francisco in the National League wild card standings, but San Diego, Houston, and the Chicago Cubs are also ahead of Jack McKeon's club.

The Marlins split a doubleheader with the Cubs yesterday at Pro Player Stadium, losing the opener 5-1, but winning the second game 5-2. Damion Easley smacked a three-run homer and drove in four runs, while David Weathers struck out six in five innings to win his first start in six seasons, leading Florida to the win in game two. In the first game, Mark Prior struck out nine in 7 2/3 innings and Corey Patterson posted a two-run double and two singles to lead Chicago to its win.

The teams were making up two of the three games from September 3-5 that were postponed by Hurricane Frances. One of the contests was made up the following weekend as part of a twinbill at Wrigley Field.

Dontrelle Willis will be on the mound tonight for the Marlins. The lefthander won his last start, holding the Expos to five hits and three runs over seven innings last Thursday. Willis is 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA in five career games against the Phillies.