CITIZENS BANK PARK

GAME 1 MONDAY 7/6 AT 7:05PM

COLE HAMELS (4-5, 4.98 ERA)

PHILLIES: Hamels put it best when asked about his 2009 season following Wednesday’s start against the Braves: “It’s a challenging year,” Hamels said. “Not every time you go out there, every season is going to be great. You have the years where you really have to learn who you are.” Hamels is 4-5 with a 4.98 ERA, and he is 0-3 with a 6.18 ERA in his previous five starts. He said he is healthy, but he has struggled with his command. Whatever the problem, the Phillies are counting on better things from Hamels against the Reds.

JOHNNY CUETO (8-4, 2.69 ERA)

REDS: Wild early because of a stiff back, Cueto gritted it out and worked six innings for a 1-0 win over Arizona on Wednesday. He had four walks, all within the first two innings and eight strikeouts. But he allowed just one hit — an infield single by Felipe Lopez in the third inning. After that, Cueto retired his final 12 batters in a row. Early on the right-hander had lowered velocity but was dialed up to 94-95 mph after he stretched his back out following the second inning. Hopefully for the Reds, this won’t be a deeper concern down the road.

GAME 2 TUESDAY 7/7 AT 7:05PM

J.A. HAPP (5-0, 2.96 ERA)

PHILLIES: J.A. Happ has been the Phillies’ best starter lately. He is 5-0 with a 2.96 ERA. He followed a June 27 shutout against the Blue Jays by allowing seven hits and two runs in seven innings Thursday against the Braves. He passed a big test for Charlie Manuel in the seventh inning of that game when he got Chipper Jones to fly out with runners at the corners with two outs. Happ seems to be gaining confidence with every start.

AARON HARANG (5-8, 3.86 ERA)

REDS: Harang pitched another outing worthy of a win last Thursday against the D-backs, but he couldn’t get any run support. Harang tossed seven innings and allowed two runs on four hits, but he left the game with his team trailing, 2-1. The Reds would rally to win, 3-2, but Harang remained stuck on his fifth win. He hasn’t won a game since May 25, against the Astros, despite posting a number of quality starts during that stretch. Harang will look to end his drought against the Phillies, against whom he is 2-2 in his career. The right-hander earned his fourth win on May 20, when he pitched seven innings against the Phillies and allowed one run on four hits in a 5-1 win.

GAME 3 WEDNESDAY 7/8 AT 7:05PM

RODRIGO LOPEZ (1-0, 2.84 ERA)

PHILLIES: Lopez made his first appearance in the Majors since 2007 on Friday against the Mets and he came through in a major way. He allowed just six hits, two runs and one walk in 6 1/3 innings. He also struck out four. It was a relief for the Phillies, who are hoping they can find more consistency in their rotation with the trade market very think at the moment.

HOMER BAILEY (1-0, 5.94 ERA)

REDS: Bailey came up with arguably the best start of his career last Friday against the Cardinals. He gave up two runs and three hits over 7 1/3 innings, leaving with a 3-0 lead. Yet the bullpen couldn’t hold the game for Bailey in an eventual 7-4 Reds loss. That shouldn’t take away from Bailey’s performance, however. He had command of his pitches and retired 12 consecutive hitters at one point. Bailey is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in two career starts against the Phillies.

GAME 4 THURSDAY 7/9 AT 7:05PM

JAMIE MOYER (7-6, 5.72 ERA)

PHILLIES: In his last start, the 600th of his career, Moyer pitched splendidly to ensure a victory over the Mets. In 6 1/3 innings, he allowed five hits, one run and one walk. He struck out one. It was a big win for Moyer, who improved to 7-6 with a 5.72 ERA, and the Phillies, who clinched just their third home series of the season. Moyer is 3-0 with a 3.11 ERA in his past three starts.

MICAH OWINGS (6-8, 4.48 ERA)

REDS: In his most recent start, Owings pitched his second consecutive solid outing, going six innings and allowing two runs in a 5-2 Reds win over the Cardinals. It was Owings’ second consecutive win and his third in four starts. Owings also slugged his third home run of the season in the victory. In his career against the Phillies, Owings is 2-1 with a 4.13 ERA. The Phillies rocked him with five runs in three innings in their 12-5 win on May 25.

MY TAKE:

The series sweep of the Mets felt good. Real good. Not only because the Phils did it with good pitching, offense, and defense, but because of the improvements Jimmy Rollins and Brad Lidge showed. In the series Rollins went 5-for-11 with 2 runs scored, 5 RBIs, and a homer. Thus proving as young James goes, so do the Phillies. Lidge saved 2 of the 3 games, both coming of the 1-2-3 variety (no heartburn), and of the 6 batters he faced he struck out 5 of them. As far as this series goes I think the pitching match ups favor the Phillies in all the games except the last one. Owings has been better of late, and I know Moyer has been as well, but you just never know what you will get with him. Hamels is another wild card as of late but he has past success against the Reds and I think he will get the win. All in all I see the Phils taking 3 of 4 with probably the last game being the one they might drop. Go Phils.

Scouting Reports l MLB.com

• SJ Will on Which One is More Likely?
• Lynniemac on Which One is More Likely?
• will.H on Which One is More Likely?
• Gabrielle on Which One is More Likely?
• Lynniemac on Which One is More Likely?