Roy Halladay Opens Up Series With Mike Leake, Red-Hot Cincinnati Reds

The Phillies are coming back from a road trip in which they went 4-3 against the Marlins and Brewers. Coming back to Citizens Bank Park for a ten-game homestand, the Phillies will be faced with an entertaining schedule. Tonight, they will open up a four-game series with the Reds. A three-game set with the Nats and another three-game set with the Mets will finish off the homestand. At 56-65, the Phillies are nearly mathematically out of contention, but that doesn't mean they can't spoil other teams' fun. The Reds are leading the NL Central with a 74-48 record. Tonight, Roy Halladay (6-7, 3.80 ERA) will take on Mike Leake (5-7, 4.29 ERA) in the series opener.

Over his past four starts, Roy Halladay has shown improvement from his early-season self. With a 2-2 record and a 2.25 ERA over that span, Halladay is looking to keep on keeping on. In his last start, against the Marlins on Wednesday, he allowed six hits, three runs, one walk and a home run while striking out seven in seven frames. Although his line represented a winning pitcher's line, he was out-dueled by Mark Burhle and took the loss, his seventh of the season. In over 45 career innings against the Reds, Doc has a 2-1 record with a 2.56 ERA.

Mike Leake is coming off of a gem of a performance against the Mets on Wednesday. Leake tossed a one-run complete game against the Mets to take his fifth win of the season. Allowing four hits and striking out four, Leake went the distance for the second time in his career. Leake has not had the smoothest season, but he has been able to be solid in a few starts this season. Leake is 1-0 with a 3.43 ERA over his last three and is looking to build off of his last start against the Mets as he takes on the Phillies tonight. In his career, Leake is 0-1 with a 6.64 ERA against the Phillies.

Placido Polanco was activated off of the DL this afternoon and will bat seventh in tonight's lineup. Polanco has been out of the lineup since July 27 with lower back inflammation. In 82 games this season, Polly is hitting .255 with 2 HR and 19 RBI. Polanco's fill-in, Kevin Frandsen is hitting .329 with 1 HR and 6 RBI in 20 games this season. 

Tonight's lineup vs Cincinnati:

1. Rollins SS
2. Pierre LF
3. Utley 2B
4. Howard 1B
5. Mayberry Jr. CF
6. Brown RF
7. Polanco 3B
8. Kratz C
9. Halladay P.

TV: CSN ; Radio: 1210 WPHT, 98.1 WOGL (Eagles on 94.1 WIP)

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.