Kendrick & Phils Take On Jackson & Cubs In Series Opener; Darin Ruf Playing RF

Off days are becoming more and more enjoyable when you talk about the Phillies. After getting swept by the Braves this past weekend the Phillies keep sinking deeper and deeper into the cellar. 11 games under .500 and God only knows how far back in the division they are, they will look for some positive energy before embarking on a six-game road trip as they take on the Cubs in a three-game series. Kyle Kendrick (9-8, 4.29 ERA) gets the ball for the Phillies as Edwin Jackson (7-11, 4.65 ERA) gets the ball for the Cubs in the opener.

Kyle Kendrick continues to look for his 10th win of the year after two straight failed attempts. On Wednesday, Kendrick was lit up for six earned runs through two innings against the Giants to take his 8th loss of the year. Kendrick has been very hittable in his last three starts, as he has posted a 9.88 ERA in that stretch of three starts. Having only eight strike outs in his last 13 2/3 innings, Kendrick has struggled with command and keeping the ball down. He will look to slide back on track as he takes on the Cubs, a team he owns an 0-1 record with a 1.69 ERA in 16 innings against.

Edwin Jackson is coming off of a spectacular month of July, rounding up a 3-1 record and a 1.81 ERA (7 ER in 34 1/3 IP). His last time out, against the Brewers on Wednesday, Jackson held the opposition to an earned run over eight innings. Striking out four and walking none, Jackson sealed his seventh win of the year. Over his last three, Jackson is 1-1 with a 2.49 ERA and has tallied 14 strike outs in 21 2/3 innings. In his career against the Phillies, Jackson is 1-4 with a 4.45 ERA.

Ruf In Right

For the first time in his career Darin Ruf will play in right field. After the Phillies activated Domonic Brown and DFA'd Laynce Nix this afternoon, the rookie will get a taste of the other side of the field. In 15 starts this season, Ruf has played 10 of them at first base while playing the remainder in left field.

Game Notes:

• Domonic Brown (leads team in RBI: 69) is back in the lineup after missing two weeks on the DL with a concussion.
• Jimmy Rollins is hitting .667 with 2 HR and 4 RBI lifetime against Jackson.
• Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is hitting .313 with two doubles and three homers in his last nine games.
  

Phillies lineup:

1. Michael Young 1B
2. Chase Utley 2B
3. Jimmy Rollins SS
4. Domonic Brown LF
5. Darin Ruf RF
6. John Mayberry Jr. CF
7. Cody Asche 3B
8. Carlos Ruiz C
9. Kyle Kendrick P.

Cubs lineup:

1. David DeJesus CF
2. Junior Lake LF
3. Anthony Rizzo 1B
4. Nate Schierholtz RF
5. Starlin Castro SS
6. Wellington Castro C
7. Darwin Barney 2B
8. Donnie Murphy 3B
9. Edwin Jackson P.

First Pitch Forecast:  Partly Cloudy – 74° – 0% PoP – (Scattered T-Storms later – 40% PoP)

TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.