Anibal Sanchez couldn’t be coming to the mound at a better time.

Just when the Miami Marlins seem to be picking up a little steam they roll Sanchez to the mound to close out a three-game set with the San Francisco Giants. Miami has won two-straight, and judging by Sanchez’s history with the Giants, could make it three on Thursday.

The Marlins have won six in a row in San Francisco, allowing a total of just 10 runs in that span.

They narrowly extended that streak last night when Giancarlo Stanton hit a solo bomb in the top of the 10th to win 3-2. Stanton now has three home runs in his last four games after going nearly the entire first month of the season without one.
His most recent homer last night bailed out closer Heath Bell’s blown save in which he allowed two runs in the bottom of the ninth. His ERA is well over 11 in 10 outings and seems to be on his way out of the closer role.

“I have to put my best guys out there and right now he’s not our best guy,” manager Ozzie Guillen told the Associated Press.

Against San Francisco, Sanchez has been Miami’s best guy. Two years ago, he threw a one-hitter in a 5-0 victory in AT&T Park, then followed up with a five-hitter last May. Both games he struck out eight hitters, and Bovada’s MLB Player Props have set an over/under line for strikeouts at 5 tonight.

His opponent tonight, Ryan Vogelsong, knows the story all to well. He was the losing pitcher in Sanchez’s five-hitter last year, desping giving up just one run over eight innings.

To make matters worse, the Giants may be without Pablo Sandoval, who left last night with a hand and wrist injury. Sandoval leads the team in homers (5) and RBI (15) and the team is unsure when he might return.

“I have a lot of concern,” manager Bruce Bochy told the AP. “You just hope for the best.”

All that seems to create a perfect storm for the Marlins. History plus injury to San Fran’s best player means the Marlins are favored by 1 1/2 runs, according to Bovada with a -114 moneyline.