Miami Marlins (71-74) at Philadelphia Phillies (67-79), 7:05 p.m. (ET)
(SportsNetwork.com) - The Miami Marlins' playoff hopes were set to receive a welcome boost on Friday evening with the return of starter Henderson Alvarez.
That, though, was before the Marlins lost one of baseball's top sluggers for the rest of the season.
Miami will resume its playoff push without Giancarlo Stanton as it begins a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Marlins got some good news earlier this week when Alvarez was cleared to return after missing one start with a left oblique strain, but their playoff chances took a mighty blow on Thursday when Stanton was hit in the face during an at-bat in a 4-2 loss to Milwaukee.
Stanton was struck flush by a pitch from Brewers starter Mike Fiers in the fifth inning and was bleeding from his mouth while down on the ground. He was eventually put on a stretcher and taken off the field in an ambulance cart.
The Marlins said that Stanton suffered multiple facial fractures, dental damage and a facial laceration that required stitches. The club added he would return to Miami for further evaluation and it is unknown how long he will be out.
"It's devastating for us. Devastating. I mean for his season to end like that ... that's not good," said Miami manager Mike Redmond.
The Marlins are 5 1/2 games out of a wild card spot and may have to finish out the season with the National League's home run leader. Stanton has 37 homers on the year and leads all of baseball with 105 RBI.
Thursday's loss was the second in a row for Miami, which will try to turn its momentum around behind Alvarez.
Alvarez has anchored Miami's rotation this year, one that lost ace Jose Fernandez to injury early on, going 10-6 with a 2.88 earned run average. However, his season was put in doubt when he left his last outing on Sept. 1 versus the New York Mets with a left oblique strain.
The 24-year-old righty gave up four runs -- three earned -- on three hits and a walk over 2 1/3 innings before exiting, getting a no-decision in his club's 9-6 win, and it was feared he would be on the shelf for some time.
However, Alvarez had no issues following a throwing session on Tuesday and is line to return tonight after missing only one start.
"I think we're all fortunate that this wasn't a year-ender for him and that he's going to be able to come out and finish the season and hopefully win us some more ballgames," Redmond told his club's website.
Alvarez will face the Phillies for the fifth time this season and is 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA against them this year.
Philadelphia counters with Cole Hamels, who is 8-7 on the year with an excellent 2.56 ERA.
Hamels was unbeaten over five starts -- a span that included the first six innings of a combined no-hitter versus Atlanta on Sept. 1 -- before losing to Washington on Sunday. The southpaw gave up three runs on seven hits, two homers and three walks over 6 1/3 frames, striking out seven.
"Cole wasn't as sharp with his command and just controlling the ball," said Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg.
Hamels is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three starts versus the Marlins this year and just 9-13 against them lifetime in 32 starts despite a solid 3.26 ERA.
Playing without an injured Jimmy Rollins (hamstring) and Domonic Brown (shoulder), as well as a resting Chase Utley out of the starting lineup, the Phillies lost a 4-1 decision on Thursday to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
A.J. Burnett absorbed his career-worst 16th loss of the season as he was tagged for four runs on six hits, struck out seven and walked three in six innings.
"I had positions where I could put guys away. I didn't put them away tonight," Burnett said.
The Phillies have lost four of their past five and sit 12 games under .500.
Philadelphia has won five of seven at home this season versus the Marlins.