The Philadelphia Phillies, who have won six games in a row, appear to be on their way to their first division title since 2011.

The only thing that could derail the Phillies (85-56) is a spate of injuries.

When the Phillies face the host Miami Marlins (52-89) in the third of four games of the weekend series on Saturday, coach Rob Thomson will be missing two regular players.

Third baseman Alec Bohm was placed on the injured list Friday with a strained left hand. Later in the evening, catcher JT Realmuto – a former Marlins star – suffered a bruised left knee in Philadelphia’s 16-2 victory.

Bohm, who had not played since August 29, did not recover quickly enough.

“We want to make sure we take our time and don’t rush him,” Thomson said Friday. “Hopefully it will take another 10 days and then he’ll be ready.”

Kody Clemens filled in for Bohm at third base on Friday and went 3-for-6 with an RBI double.

Realmuto was replaced by Garrett Stubbs in the fourth inning, two innings after Realmuto fouled a ball off his knee. Stubbs went 0-for-3 with an RBI.

Thomson said of Realmuto: “He’s fine. … Stubbs is playing (on Saturday) anyway – that was the plan. So it will be good for (Realmuto) to have a day off.”

The Marlins suffered in this game due to the last-minute cancellation of their starting pitcher Edward Cabrera. Miami relied on Austin Kitchen, who suffered a heavy defeat in his first Major League appearance, allowing seven runs (six earned) and nine hits in two innings.

“I found out about it at 5:30 p.m.,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said of the last-minute change. “(Cabrera) called the trainer and said he was on his way to the hospital. He felt like he had a migraine.”

“We had to adjust and make a bullpen game. It was a tough situation for our bullpen. They did their best. Things didn’t go the way we wanted. We got our butts kicked.”

The Phillies achieved season highs in runs and hits (22), and the Marlins had to use five pitchers plus outfielder David Hensley, who was on the mound for the final two innings.

All of this will impact Saturday’s game, as the Marlins are missing rested relievers.

“We’re going to need fresh staff,” Schumaker said. “Without sugarcoating it, we’re going to be in trouble if we don’t take some measures.”

The Marlins are in a big bind because they have several starting pitchers on the injured list, including former National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, as well as Eury Perez, Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, Sixto Sanchez and Ryan Weathers. They also traded Trevor Rogers just before the deadline.

In the bullpen, the Marlins traded closer Tanner Scott as well as AJ Puk, Huascar Brazoban and JT Chargois. In addition, relievers Andrew Nardi and Anthony Bender are injured.

On Saturday, the Marlins will start Darren McCaughan (0-0, 8.24 ERA). The 28-year-old right-hander, making his third major league start and 12th appearance, has never played against Philadelphia.

In his most recent appearance, McCaughan allowed four runs (three earned) over four innings in a no-decision game against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.

The Phillies will counter with 31-year-old right-hander Aaron Nola (12-6, 3.29 ERA).

This is the sixth year that Nola has posted double-digit wins. He had a no-decision game against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, when he allowed two runs in six innings.

In 24 career starts against Miami, Nola is 5-11 with a 3.60 ERA. In 11 starts in Miami, Nola is 4-5 with a 2.97 ERA. He lost to the Marlins in Philadelphia on June 29 after allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings.

–Field level media