By: Kevin Durso, editorial assistant 
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Phillies (16-12) looked like they were well on their way to a win on Wednesday night before it all fell apart, first in the fifth inning when the Cardinals struck for three runs after lengthy replay delays, then in the ninth when Jeanmar Gomez failed to close out a game for the first time this season.
The series finale comes on Thursday afternoon as the Phillies send Jerad Eickhoff to the mound with a chance to get back to the win column and split the series with the Cardinals (14-14).
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (16-12) | St. Louis Cardinals (14-14) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jerad Eickhoff | LHP | Jaime Garcia | ||
| (1-3, 4.15 ERA) | (1-2, 3.73 ERA) | ||||
Eickhoff has allowed 10 runs over his last two starts, including three runs over six innings in his last start on Saturday against the Indians in a no-decision. This is Eickhoff's 14th career start and first against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Garcia allowed four runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings in his last start, suffering the loss to the Nationals. Both of Garcia's losses have come in his last three starts, since a one-hit shutout in his second start of the season. In his career against the Phillies, Garcia is 2-4 with a 3.27 ERA in nine starts and is 29-17 with a 2.69 ERA in 67 games and 62 starts at Busch Stadium.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (16-12) | St. Louis Cardinals (14-14) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 1 | 3B | Matt Carpenter | L |
| 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 2 | RF | Stephen Piscotty | R |
| 3 | 3B | Andres Blanco | S | 3 | LF | Brandon Moss | L |
| 4 | 1B | Darin Ruf | R | 4 | 1B | Matt Adams | L |
| 5 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 5 | C | Yadier Molina | R |
| 6 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 6 | CF | Jeremy Hazelbaker | L |
| 7 | LF | Tyler Goeddel | R | 7 | 2B | Kolton Wong | L |
| 8 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R | 8 | SS | Ruben Tejada | R |
| 9 | P | Jerad Eickhoff | R | 9 | P | Jaime Garcia | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:45 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Wednesday's loss was just the Phillies second this season when they have a lead after eight innings and the third when leading after both six and seven innings.
- The Phillies have particularly struggled against the NL Central. In their last 33 games against NL Central opponents, dating back to June 4, 2015, the Phillies are 9-24.
- A loss would give the Phillies their first series loss since losing two of three to the Mets from April 18-20. The Phillies have won three straight series and are 9-3 in the 12 games since the Mets series concluded on April 20.
What's Next:
- Friday, May 6, 2016: at Miami Marlins, 7:10 p.m.
- Miami, Fla. - Marlins Park
- RHP Vince Velasquez (4-1, 1.44 ERA) vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen (2-1, 4.26 ERA)
- TV: TCN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
