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Willis faces Maddux as Marlins host Padres

May 4, 2007 - 12:54 PM San Diego (15-13) at Florida (13-14) 7:05 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- A marquee pitching matchup takes center stage on Friday as the Florida Marlins host the San Diego Padres in the opener of a three-game series.

Florida's Dontrelle Willis (5-1, 5.35 ERA), who leads the National League in wins, will face veteran Greg Maddux (2-2, 3.86) who won four consecutive NL Cy Young Awards from 1992-95.

Despite his record, Willis has not been dominant this season but has been the beneficiary of significant run support. In his five wins this season, the Marlins lineup has posted 47 runs. The 27-year-old lefthander has allowed at least seven hits in each start this season and yielded a home run in each of his last five starts.

Maddux, 40, continues to be one of the more reliable starters in the major leagues. The righthander has allowed nine runs and no home runs during his last four starts, which spans 25 innings. In a 3-2 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Saturday, he allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings and retired the last 14 batters he faced.

Maddux has started 38 games against the Marlins in his career, going 19-12 with a 2.69 ERA and six complete games.

The Padres bullpen has been a strength this season, highlighted by rookie Kevin Cameron, who has yet to give up a run in 12 2/3 innings. Health Bell has allowed just one run in 17 2/3 innings.

Florida's leadoff hitter Hanley Ramirez, last season's NL Rookie of the Year, is batting .327 with four home runs and 26 runs scored this season. However, he is 0-for-10 with three strikeouts in his last two games.

Miguel Cabrera leads the Marlins with seven home runs this season and is batting .455 (15-for-33) with two home runs and six RBI in his last eight games.