By Matt Rappa, managing editor 
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (37-46) — who have won six of their last eight games — will open their final home series before the All-Star break behind RHP Jerad Eickhoff in a Fourth of July matchup against rookie RHP Joel De La Cruz and the Atlanta Braves (28-54) on Monday.
Since last Monday, the Phillies offense is averaging 5.7 runs per game, with four or more runs scored in five of the six contests. Their offense ranks fourth in baseball in WAR dating back to June 20 with a second-best team batting average of .310.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Atlanta Braves (28-54) | Philadelphia Phillies (37-46) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Joel De La Cruz | RHP | Jerad Eickhoff | ||
| (0-1, 4.50 ERA) | (5-9, 3.38 ERA) | ||||
Joel De La Cruz — Age: 27;
- Last Start: June 29, 2016, vs. CLE: L, 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, SO, HR
- Career vs. PHI: N/A
De La Cruz takes the mound for his second career start. He was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on June 29 to make a spot start against the Cleveland Indians in place of the struggling and recently-optioned RHP Aaron Blair.
While he threw a quality start in his debut, De La Cruz has struggled at Triple-A this season over five starts and 16 relief appearances, posting a 4.68 ERA with an opposing slash of .287/.368/.440 in 57 2/3 innings.
Jerad Eickhoff — Age: 26;
- Last Start: June 28, 2016, at ARI: ND, 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO, HR
- Career vs. ATL: (1-1), 3 G, 18.1 IP, 17 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 10 SO, HR
Eickhoff will make his 17th start of the season and the 25th of his career, two days removed from his 26th birthday. While the right-hander lost eight of his first 10 decisions in 2016, he has won three of his last four to improve his win-loss record to 5-9.
In the month of June, the right-hander allowed just nine earned runs over 36 1/3 innings and six starts.
Starting Lineups:
| Atlanta Braves (28-54) | Philadelphia Phillies (37-46) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Jace Peterson | L | 1 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 2 | SS | Erick Aybar | S | 2 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R |
| 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L | 3 | LF | Cody Asche | L |
| 4 | RF | Nick Markakis | L | 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 5 | LF | Jeff Francoeur | R | 5 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 6 | C | A.J. Pierzynski | L | 6 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R |
| 7 | 3B | Brandon Snyder | R | 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 8 | CF | Emilio Bonifacio | S | 8 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 9 | P | Joel De La Cruz | R | 9 | P | Jerad Eickhoff | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 4:05 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Center fielder Odubel Herrera continues to make his last push to be the Phillies' representative at this year's All-Star Game in San Diego, with rosters slated to be announced on Tuesday. Since last Monday, he is batting .333/.379/.481 with a double, home run and seven singles in 27 at-bats.
- The Phillies are 55-59 all-time against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Since 2015, the two teams have split their four series meetings at the venue, however the Phillies have lost two straight, outscored 24-14 in six games.
- Outfielder Peter Bourjos currently has the third-longest active hit streak in Major League Baseball, 12. Over this stretch, he is batting .447/.500/.681 with 11 runs scored, two home runs, five walks and six RBIs. Catcher Cameron Rupp is not that far behind, having hit safely in nine consecutive games with four home runs and eight RBIs to his credit.
Standings:
(entering July 4, 2016)
What's Next:
- Tuesday, July 5, 2016: vs. Atlanta Braves, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- RHP Mike Foltynewicz (2-2, 3.72 ERA) vs. RHP Zach Eflin (0-2, 5.75 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
