Game Chat: Phils Welcome Slumping NL Leaders, Last Year's Cy Young Winner to CBP

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The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the season like bats out of hell (see what I did there?), but, fortunately for the Phillies, arrive at Citizens Bank Park for a four-game set in a bit of a funk.

Not only are they without Matt Kemp, who is back on the DL after re-injuring his left hamstring, but they enter tonight's ballgame as losers of seven of their last 10 games.

The Phils, meanwhile, are looking to right the ship after a disappointing series loss to the Marlins at home.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 (CSN / ESPN / 94.1 FM / 1210 AM).

[Pitching matchup, lineups, a Cliff Lee bobblehead and other assorted notes after the jump]

On the Mound
Vance Worley returns from the disabled list and takes the spot of Roy Halladay, who has obviously landed there himself. Worley has not pitched since a May 11 outing against the Padres at home, when he gave up three runs and six hits in six innings en route a 7-3 Phils win. He heads into tonight's ballgame with a 3-2 record and a 3.07 ERA on the season.  Only once has Worley ever pitched against the Dodgers, a 9-8 win for the Phils in August of last year when both he and opposing starter Chad Billingsley got absolutely smashed by each lineup.

For Los Angeles, last year's Cy Young runaway Clayton Kershaw has historically poor career numbers against the Phillies, though as CSNPhilly's Corey Seidman points out, those stats are a bit misleading. The Phillies totally avoided Kershaw last season and had previously taken advantage of the young pitcher as he was breaking into the league -- Phils fans should remember Game 1 of the 2009 NLDS fondly. Lifetime, he's 0-4 against the Phillies with a 5.18 ERA and 0-2 at CBP with a 6.89 ERA, but again, we're talking about a different guy from then as compared to now. Like his team as a whole of late, Kershaw did struggle in his last outing, giving up five runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 6-3 loss to the Brewers, during a series in which Milwaukee swept L.A. in Chavez Ravine. He enters tonight 4-3 with a 2.42 ERA on the year.

No Field Advantage
For as bad as the Phillies have been this year at home (12-15), the Dodgers are just .500 on the road (12-12) as compared to their gawdy 21-9 at Dodger Stadium -- that home record includes the four in a row they recently lost to the Brewers, by the way. 

Looks Better Than Doc's
Fans in attendance for this evening's opener against the Dodgers will be the recipients of this Cliff Lee bobblehead.

Charlie's 6/4 Lineup
Despite accounting for three of the Phillies' six hits and driving in their only run on Sunday, Juan Pierre will not be in the lineup as the Phils go righty heavy against Kershaw, meaning John Mayberry will be in left and Ty Wigginton at first.

As far as the switch-hitters go, Jimmy Rollins has been absolutely dreadful this season from the right side (.185) while Shane Victorino has enjoyed far greater success against lefties (.349).

Here's how they'll attack Kershaw in order:

1. Rollins, SS
2. Polanco, 3B
3. Pence, RF
4. Ruiz, C
5. Victorino, CF
6. Wiggington, 1B
7. Mayberry, LF
8. Galvis, 2B
9. Worley, P

Enjoy the national coverage all you out-of-towners. 

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