By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (56-64) will look to avoid their fifth consecutive series defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers (66-52) as second baseman Chase Utley's Philadelphia return continues Wednesday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
Utley was a major contributor to the Dodgers' 15-5 series opener victory over the Phillies Tuesday evening, going 2-4 with two runs scored, a walk, five RBIs and two home runs — one of which was a grand slam, the seventh of his career and his first in Philadelphia since June 1, 2005.
Rookie RHP Jake Thompson will make his third big league start as he opposes southpaw and Phillies' 2008 World Series foe Scott Kazmir, who has lost each of his last three starts.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Los Angeles Dodgers (66-52) | Philadelphia Phillies (56-64) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Scott Kazmir | RHP | Jake Thompson | ||
| (9-6, 4.44 ERA) | (1-1, 8.68 ERA) | ||||
Scott Kazmir — Age: 32;
- Last Start: August 10, 2016, vs. PHI: L, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO
- Career vs. PHI: (1-2), 4 G, 21.1 IP, 27 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 9 BB, 27 SO, 4 HR, 5.91 ERA
Jake Thompson — Age: 22;
- Last Start: August 12, 2016, vs. COL: W, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO, HR
- Career vs. LAD: N/A
Starting Lineups:
| Los Angeles Dodgers (66-52) | Philadelphia Phillies (56-64) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Chase Utley | L | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | SS | Corey Seager | L | 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 3 | 3B | Justin Turner | R | 3 | LF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 4 | RF | Josh Reddick | L | 4 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R |
| 5 | 1B | Adrian Gonzalez | L | 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 6 | C | Yasmani Grandal | S | 6 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R |
| 7 | CF | Joc Pederson | L | 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 8 | LF | Howie Kendrick | R | 8 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R |
| 9 | P | Scott Kazmir | L | 9 | P | Jake Thompson | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- In 757 games all-time at Citizens Bank Park, Utley is batting .293/.375/.507 with 163 doubles, 21 triples, 129 home runs, 81 hit-by-pitches, 304 walks and 465 RBIs.
- Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard leads all of baseball in slugging percentage since the All-Star break (.774), minimum 50 at-bats. Following Howard are outfielders J.D. Martinez (.740), Ryan Braun (.736) and Mookie Betts (.728).
- The Phillies have dropped seven of their last 10 games against the Dodgers, outscored and outhit 64-42 and 104-80, respectively.
Standings:
| Updated: August 17, 2016 | |||||
| NL EAST | W | L | GB | RS | RA |
| Nationals | 70 | 48 | — | 558 | 419 |
| Marlins | 62 | 57 | 8.5 | 510 | 498 |
| Mets | 60 | 59 | 10.5 | 445 | 443 |
| Phillies | 56 | 64 | 15.0 | 459 | 567 |
| Braves | 44 | 75 | 26.5 | 424 | 562 |
| NL WILD CARD | W | L | GB | RS | RA |
| Giants | 66 | 53 | +3.0 | 528 | 482 |
| Cardinals | 63 | 56 | — | 591 | 524 |
| Pirates | 61 | 56 | 1.0 | 535 | 530 |
| Marlins | 62 | 57 | 1.0 | 510 | 498 |
| Mets | 60 | 59 | 3.0 | 445 | 443 |
| Rockies | 57 | 63 | 6.5 | 628 | 613 |
| Phillies | 56 | 64 | 7.5 | 459 | 567 |
What's Next:
- Thursday, August 18, 2016: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- TBA vs. RHP Jerad Eickhoff (8-12, 3.82 ERA)
- TV: TCN; Radio: 1210 WPHT
