Jeremy Hellickson hopes his back problems are behind him (Frank Klose/Philliedelphia)
By Frank Klose, Sports Talk Philly Editor 
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies starter Jeremy Hellickson returns to action.
After last night's disappointing loss to the Cardinals, the Phillies send veteran Jeremy Hellickson to the mound. He will be opposed by one of the top Cardinals prospects in righty Luke Weaver. Despite the Phillies facing a right-handed pitcher, the Phillies will field a lineup that mostly bats right-handed.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Away Team (W-L) | Home Team (W-L) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Luke Weaver | RHP | Jeremy Hellickson | ||
| (0-0, 4.50 ERA) | (9-7, 3.65 ERA) | ||||
Luke Weaver— Age: 22;
- Last Start: August 13 2016, at CHC: ND, 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
- Career vs. PHILLIES: n/a
Weaver is making just his second Major League start for the Cardinals. Weaver made his Major League debut on August 13 against the Chicago Cubs, giving the Cardinals four innings. Weaver turns 23 years old tomorrow.
Jeremy Hellickson — Age: 29;
- Last Start: August 10, 2016, vs LAD: W, 5.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
- Career vs. St. Louis Cardinals: (1-1), 2 G, 12.2 IP, 13 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 7 K, 5 HR, 6.39 ERA
Hellickson would have normally started on Wednesday, but after tweaking his back in his last start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies made use of Monday's off day to push Hellickson back to today.
Starting Lineups:
| St. Louis Cardinals (W-L) | Philadelphia Phillies (W-L) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | Jeremy Hazelbaker | L | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | RF | Stephen Piscotty | R | 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 3 | 2B | Matt Carpenter | L | 3 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R |
| 4 | 1B | Brandon Moss | L | 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 5 | C | Yadier Molina | R | 5 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 6 | 3B | Jhonny Peralta | R | 6 | LF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 7 | SS | Jedd Gyorko | R | 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 8 | CF | Randall Grichuk | R | 8 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R |
| 9 | P | Luke Weaver | R | 9 | P | Jeremy Hellickson | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Weaver was a former first round pick of the Cardinals and was ranked the team's number two prospect as of his call-up.
- Hellickson's worst start of the year came against the St. Louis Cardinals in May, allowing six runs over 5 1/3 innings.
- The Phillies have lost nine of their last 12 games against the Cardinals dating back to last season.
What's Next:
Sunday, August 21, 2016: vs St. Louis Cardinals, 1:35 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- RHP Mike Leake (8-9, 4.78 ERA) vs. Vince Velazquez (8-5, 4.14 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
