Cincinnati @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 30, 2010 ) Philadelphia 3, Cincinnati 4

Surprisingly, the Cincinnati Reds are contending for a division title this late into the season. It may be equally shocking that the Philadelphia Phillies are not.

The teams will try to improve their fortunes on Thursday when they open a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park before adjourning for the All-Star break.

NL Central-leading Cincinnati (49-37) will look to right-hander Johnny Cueto (8-2, 3.56 ERA), who has one defeat in his last 13 starts.

The 24-year-old Cueto pitched five scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, but he permitted five walks and seven hits in the process.

In his previous outing – against Thursday's starter Kyle Kendrick (5-3, 4.70 ERA) – Cueto allowed one run and six hits in eight innings as the Reds recorded a 7-3 triumph on June 28. It was his lone victory in three career outings against the Phillies.

As for Kendrick, he went the distance in his last outing. The 25-year-old Texan permitted four runs and 10 hits in a 12-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.

Kendrick was not as fortunate as Cueto in their previous head-to-head matchup. The right-hander allowed six runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings against the Reds.

With injured hurler J.A. Happ slowly working himself back from a left forearm strain, Kendrick's spot in the rotation remains in jeopardy.

The right-hander will need to be on top of his game against the Reds, who lead the National League in both home runs (106) and runs (407).

On Wednesday, All-Star Brandon Phillips homered and drove in a pair of runs as Cincinnati claimed a 3-1 triumph over the New York Mets. Phillips has three homers and five RBIs in his last six contests.

As for the Phillies, they are going nowhere fast.

A six-run sixth inning on Wednesday brought an end to the night for Jamie Moyer as the Phillies dropped their second of three to the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves with a 7-5 decision.

All-Star Ryan Howard belted a two-run homer, Shane Victorino added a solo shot and Jimmy Rollins had an RBI double for Philadelphia (43-40), which fell six games back of the front-running Braves in the division.

Ben Francisco added an RBI single for the Phillies, who have dropped six of their last eight games.

On the plus side, Philadelphia is finally getting healthier.

Reliever Ryan Madson may be activated as early as Thursday. The 29-year-old right-hander has pitched in back-to-back games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley without issue from his surgically repaired right big toe. Madson has been on the disabled list since April 29.

Also, Placido Polanco told Phillies officials on Wednesday that he is feeling better. The injured veteran infielder, who is on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his left elbow, will start baseball activities as early as Saturday.