By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies (55-43) will open a three-game set against their former, soon-to-be-retired second baseman Chase Utley and the Los Angeles Dodgers (55-44) Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park. Zach Eflin — who was dealt to the Phillies from the Dodgers in the Dec. 2014 Jimmy Rollins trade — will oppose All-Star Ross Stripling.
Impending free agent shortstop Manny Machado will also face the Phillies for the first time since the club lost on acquiring the four-time All-Star last week. In three games and 15 plate appearances with the Dodgers thus far, Machado is slashing .385/.467/.462 with one run scored, four singles, one double, one RBI, two walks and one strikeout.
The Phillies split their Sunday doubleheader against the San Diego Padres — 2-10 and 5-0 — increasing their National League East division lead to one game. The Phillies (.561) and Dodgers (.556) respectively have the second and third-best winning percentage in the National League.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Los Angeles Dodgers (55-44) | Philadelphia Phillies (55-43) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Ross Stripling | RHP | Zach Eflin | ||
| (8-2, 2.08 ERA) | (7-2, 3.15 ERA) | ||||
RHP Ross Stripling, Age: 28
- 2018 vs. PHI: 1-0, 1.29 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, R, ER, HR, 2 BB, 9 SO, 0.857 WHIP
- Career vs. PHI: 1-0, 3.77 ERA, 4 G, 2 GS, 14 1/3 IP, 15 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 HR, 6 BB, 15 SO, 1.465 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 0-0, 8.44 ERA, 2 G, 1 GS, 5 1/3 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 HR, 3 BB, 5 SO, 2.063 WHIP
Stripling — who has a National League-best .800 winning percentage — is among three Dodgers All-Stars this season, joining corner outfielder Matt Kemp and closer Kenley Jansen. The right-hander has allowed just one run and one walk over his last two starts (12 innings pitched).
RHP Zach Eflin, Age: 24
- 2018 vs. LAD: 0-1, 11.25 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, BB, 5 SO, 2.000 WHIP
- Career vs. LAD: 0-2, 9.00 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 14 IP, 18 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 7 HR, 3 BB, 9 SO, 1.500 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 5-6, 4.59 ERA, 14 G, 14 GS, 86 1/3 IP, 84 H, 45 R, 44 ER, 17 HR, 17 BB, 72 SO, 1.170 WHIP
Eflin returns after missing his last scheduled start in the first-half finale due to a blister. The right-hander has won six straight decisions since June 5, posting a 2.32 ERA and .218/.255/.327 opposing slash in seven starts.
Starting Lineups:
| Los Angeles Dodgers (55-44) | Philadelphia Phillies (55-43) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | Joc Pederson | L | 1 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 2 | 3B | Manny Machado | R | 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 3 | 1B | Max Muncy | L | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | C | Yasmani Grandal | S | 4 | RF | Nick Williams | L |
| 5 | RF | Matt Kemp | R | 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 6 | CF | Cody Bellinger | L | 6 | SS | Scott Kingery | R |
| 7 | SS | Chris Taylor | R | 7 | 2B | Trevor Plouffe | R |
| 8 | 2B | Chase Utley | L | 8 | C | Jorge Alfaro | R |
| 9 | P | Ross Stripling | R | 9 | P | Zach Eflin | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- In 15 games and 51 plate appearances against the Phillies since joining the Dodgers via trade in August 2015, Utley is slashing .208/.255/.458 with seven runs scored, five singles, one double, one triple, three home runs, seven RBI, three walks and 14 strikeouts.
- Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera has a five-game hitting streak, slashing .350/.381/.550 with three runs scored, five singles, one double, one home run, three RBI and five strikeouts.
- The Phillies and Dodgers split their four-game set at Dodger Stadium, May 28-31. The Phillies outhit the Dodgers, 33-31, but were slightly outscored, 15-14.
What's Next:
Tuesday, July 24, 2018: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Kenta Maeda (7-5, 3.12 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (12-3, 2.30 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
