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Girardi likely managing last game with Marlins

Oct 1, 2006 - 3:28 PM Philadelphia (85-76) at Florida (77-84) 1:05 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- A game that initially presented itself as the Philadelphia Phillies' last chance at a postseason berth now has turned into Joe Girardi's swan song with the Florida Marlins.

The Marlins try to send Girardi, who appears certain to be fired at season's end, out on a high note Sunday when they play the Phillies in the 2006 finale for both teams.

In his first year as Marlins manager, Girardi has guided a team that many thought would lose 100 games to a very respectable record. However, the fiery skipper has had numerous run-ins with management and is expected to be dismissed at the end of the season.

Florida would love to send Girardi out a winner and avoid closing the season with a three-game sweep by Philadelphia. The Marlins have lost 13 of 18 meetings between the teams this season, including a 4-3 setback on Saturday.

The win kept the Phillies' slim playoff hopes alive. But that only lasted a couple of hours as they were eliminated when both the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego posted road victories later in the day.

Philadelphia will give the ball to Brett Myers (12-7, 3.94 ERA), who has allowed three runs or fewer in seven straight starts. The righthander was charged with three runs in seven frames Tuesday in a 4-3 loss vs. Washington.

Myers will be opposed by Dontrelle Willis (12-12, 3.89), who could be making his last appearance with the Marlins as well. The electrifying lefthander might be traded in the offseason if Florida decides to move its highly-paid ace in favor of cheaper prospects.

Willis was reached for five runs in five innings of Tuesday's 5-3 defeat to Cincinnati. He was 0-2 with a 13.03 ERA in two starts against the Phillies this year prior to September 10, when he pitched a three-hitter for his only shutout of the season.

The Phillies went 88-74 last season, while the Marlins were 83-79.