Stanton on pace to break team HR record with 60

MIAMI — Giancarlo Stanton’s rapid approach to the Miami Marlins’ single-season home run record has been stunning, but not surprising. It never is when homers are flying in bunches off the bat of the slugging right fielder.

What stands out of the ordinary is that Stanton has played in all but two of the Marlins’ games so far this season. That was a big factor in why he began the weekend series against the Rockies needing one homer to become the second Marlin to reach the 40-homer plateau and three to tie Gary Sheffield’s club record from 1996.

Stanton continued his onslaught in the sixth inning Friday when he drove a Jon Gray slider 433 feet to left field.

“Hitting 40 homers is no easy task. Especially, this is not exactly a home run ballpark,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “So I think it speaks to his talent. But also I think he would have knocked this down a long time ago — this year he’s been able to stay on the field. Hopefully that continues and we really see a full year out of G that really shows why people look at him as one of the most feared guys in the game.”

Even by his standards, Stanton has been on a remarkable tear since the All-Star break. He hit six in the seven games of the road trip that concluded Thursday, and 18 over his past 30 games.

That is the most in a 30-game span in Marlins history, and the most achieved by any active player. The last player to do so in the majors was Josh Hamilton in 2012.

Stanton, who was on pace to finish with 60 homers, had a slash line since the break of .267/.394/.767.

The biggest challenge over the final two months for Stanton will be to continue to avoid injuries that have dogged him through his career. In 2014, Stanton had 37 homers and was a leading MVP candidate before the beaning in Milwaukee ended his season on Sept. 11. He missed significant time due to injuries the next two seasons as well.

In returning to All-Star form, Stanton has to this point elevated his game from previous years, both at bat and in the field.

One noticeable change at the plate has been a much more closed stance. Whether or not that is a factor, he has cut down on flailing at pitches breaking away.

“What I’ve seen with Giancarlo this year is not so much stance as pitch selection,” Mattingly said. “He’s not chasing as much. He’s forcing them to throw balls in the strike zone more, covering certain areas of the plate. He’s simplified hitting a little bit.

“I think he’s been taking what they give him more and not missing them. Lately, he sure hasn’t missed too many that he gets a shot at.”

Stanton’s two-run homer Thursday was his 18th go-ahead homer of the season, the most in the majors. He had 23 homers that had tied games or put the Marlins ahead, also the most in the majors — six more than Bryce Harper and Kris Davis.

Nicolino back

The oblique strain that sidelined Chris O’Grady has provided another chance for left-hander Justin Nicolino in the Marlins’ rotation. He was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans, while reliever Hunter Cervenka was optioned to the Baby Cakes.

Nicolino will make his sixth start of the season Saturday. Most recently, he made back-to-back starts in June, allowing nine runs (five earned) in a combined seven innings.

“It’s a good opportunity, I think, for him and for us to find out exactly if he’s a guy that we’re going to be able to think about as a starter moving forward,” Mattingly said.

Injury updates

Shortstop JT Riddle underwent surgery on his left shoulder Friday. … Lefty Wei-Yin Chen (elbow strain) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday. … Right-hander Kyle Barraclough (shoulder) is to pitch an inning Saturday on a rehab assignment with Class A Jupiter.

Stanton