"For the integrity of the game and for the way you should play the game. That's the only way to do it. Like we did last year," he said. "We're going to jump from the frying pan right into the fire and be in a significant series -- 'spoiler' or whatever you want to call it."

Marlins players are fired up.

"Anytime you have a chance to knock a big team like that out of the playoffs again for the second year in a row is exciting," first baseman Mike Jacobs said. "I'm sure they'll be up to the challenge, but I wouldn't say we're in their heads. I think they know they need to be perfect because if they're not they're going to have a tough time."

Veteran infielder Wes Helms, who played for the Phillies last year when they won the division, said he has tried to prepare Florida's young players for the weekend's series.

"I said, Friday night you're gonna see playoff atmosphere. It's going to be just like we're going to the playoffs Friday night," he said. "It's gonna be loud. It's going to be sold out. You're going to see something that you've never seen in your life before. Yeah, you got called up to the big leagues but you haven't seen what you're going to see Friday night."

MARLINS AT NATIONALS, CANCELLED: The Marlins' game at Washington was cancelled after a rain delay that stretched more than two hours.