Cleveland @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Mar 17, 2008 ) Cleveland 4, Philadelphia 6
The City of Brotherly Love has certainly welcomed back some amazing athletes - well, in its own way.
Some were greeted with cheers (Allen Iverson), others with boos (Terrell Owens) and some are still awaiting their Judgment Day (Donovan McNabb).
On Tuesday, the Philadelphia faithful will likely witness the return of another talented superstar. His name is Jimmy Rollins, and the Philadelphia Phillies' team leader is expected to be both activated and inserted into the lineup prior to their game against the Cleveland Indians (26-42) at Citizens Bank Park.
The 2007 National League Most Valuable Player, Rollins has been plagued by two separate stints to the disabled list with a strained right calf. The 31-year-old shortstop injured himself on April 12 - returned to action on May 17 - and subsequently hurt himself again five days later.
Now after five games and 14 at-bats with the Class-A Clearwater Threshers, Rollins is ready to try his luck again.
And it couldn't have come at a more critical time for the Phillies (35-32), who have limped to a 9-17 mark and dropped a season-high 5 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.
For the most part, the anemic offense has been the culprit - and this is where Rollins can help.
The three-time All-Star was batting .341 with two home runs, seven RBIs and 11 runs scored this season prior to his injury. Through him, the remainder of the lineup comes together - as evidenced by the team's consecutive National League championships.
Rollins is expected to resume his traditional leadoff role, thus sending either center fielder Shane Victorino or left fielder Raul Ibanez to the seventh hole to provide balance to the lineup.
Controlling Rollins and the Phillies will be the responsibility of Mitch Talbot (7-5, 4.21 ERA).
The 26-year-old rookie right-hander has excelled on the road - posting a 2.56 ERA in the process - but surrendered a career-high eight runs on 13 hits in 5 2/3 innings in his last outing against the New York Mets on Wednesday.
As one would expect, the Indians have dropped six of seven and reside comfortably in the basement of the AL Central.
The Phillies will counter with Jamie Moyer (7-6, 4.76 ERA). The 47-year-old left-hander silenced the loud bats of the New York Yankees last week, allowing just a pair of solo homers and three total hits in eight innings.
Moyer has an impressive 7-0 record with a 2.33 ERA in his last 11 outings against Cleveland.