Marlins Vs. Padres Preview: Miami Hopes To Get Offense Going Against San Diego

The Miami Marlins have struggled as of late on the offensive side with 13 runs in their last eight games. They also have an eight-game home losing streak, so they are looking for anything to give their offense a boost. On Friday night they open a three-game series with the San Diego Padres, hoping to get any form of momentum lost from earlier in the season, back on their side.

The Marlins will send pitcher Carlos Zambrano (5-8, 4.42 ERA) to the mound on Friday. In his last start for the Marlins on July 21 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Zambrano was roughed around for five runs on three hits and walking six batters while striking out only two. The Marlins have lost seven of the last eight games that Zambrano has started, so the odds are not on their side.

The Padres will counter with pitcher Kip Wells (1-3, 4.00). In his most recent start against the Colorado Rockies on July 21, Wells went four and two-thirds innings. In that start he allowed six runs on eight hits as well as four strikeouts and a walk.

The game is set for a start time of 7:10 p.m. from Marlins Park. Television coverage will be provided by Fox Sports Florida. Radio coverage will be provided by WAXY 790 AM and WAQI 710 AM.

We'll have plenty more on this series throughout the weekend on SB Nation Tampa Bay, so keep it locked to this StoryStream for all of the latest news and updates. As always, please head over to Fish Stripes for more on this series and all things Miami Marlins baseball. For some perspective from the other dugout, you can check out Gaslamp Baseball, SB Nation's San Diego Padres blog. For more on this and every other MLB series please check out the SB Nation Major League Baseball hub page.