The race for first place in the National East highlights the MLB action on Sunday, as the Phillies, the Marlins, and the Mets all battle for the top spot.

The Phillies and Marlins close out a three game-set in Florida on Sunday with Cole Hamels getting the start for Philadelphia and Josh Johnson making his second start of the season for Florida. The oddsmakers at opened the hometown Marlins as +130 moneyline underdogs.

Hamels (9-6, 3.15) finished off the first half with a no-decision against the Diamondbacks in which he allowed two runs on 11 hits in seven innings with eight strikeouts. Hamels last faced the Marlins on June 11 when he came away with a no-decision after giving up two runs on three hits in eight innings.

He also had 13 strikeouts in that game. Despite not picking up the win he performed much better than he did when he faced Florida back on May 31. In that game Hamels was lit up for seven runs in only 5 2-3 innings. Baseball betting trends galore in the matchup report.

Johnson made his return from a one-year layoff from Tommy John surgery right before the All-Star break. In his first start since July 4, 2007 Johnson pitched five innings against the Dodgers and allowed three runs on six hits to earn a no-decision.

The Mets finish off a four-game series with the Reds on Sunday with Mike Pelfry facing Cincinnati starter Edinson Volquez. Pelfry (8-6, 3.64) was on a torrid streak heading into the break with a perfect 6-0 record in his last six starts.

In his last start Pelfry pitched eight shutout innings against Colorado, holding them to six hits while striking out five. Pelfry faced Cincinnati back in May and took the loss despite allowing only two runs in six innings.

Volquez (12-3, 2.29) made an unsuccessful All-Star debut earlier this week after he surrendered J.D. Drew's game-tying two-run home run in his lone inning of work.

Before the break Volquez posted another impressive outing in a win over Milwaukee when he allowed only one run in seven innings while striking out 10. Sunday's game will be Volquez's first career start against the Mets.

Expect the Reds to open at -130 moneyline favorites here Sunday at .
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