Philadelphia @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 8, 2012 ) Atlanta 4, Philadelphia 3

Philadelphia’s roster may look a lot different after Tuesday’s trade deadline, but Friday’s starting pitcher is not going anywhere. Cole Hamels inked a six-year, $144-million contract on Wednesday, solidifying the 28-year-old left-hander as an anchor in the Phillies’ rotation for the foreseeable future. Hamels faces an Atlanta team that sits within striking distance of first-place Washington in the NL East and holds one of the two NL wild-card spots.

The Braves just concluded a 4-3 road trip and are 10 games over .500 away from Turner Field. Ben Sheets looks to start a 10-game homestand with his third victory in three starts after nearly two years out of the majors. Philadelphia, which is rumored to be shopping several of its regulars to contending teams, has won four in a row but remains in the division cellar.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), Peachtree TV (Atlanta).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (11-4, 3.23 ERA) vs. Braves RH Ben Sheets (2-0, 0.00)

With his contract situation settled, Hamels looks to become the fifth NL hurler to 12 victories. Hamels has won just one of his past five starts, allowing 10 hits and five earned runs in 7 2/3 innings in his last start Saturday against San Francisco.

Sheets has been sensational in his first two starts for Atlanta, allowing just seven hits with four walks and 11 strikeouts in 12 innings. The right-hander, who last pitched in the majors for Oakland in 2010, has victories over the Mets and Nationals, holding opposing hitters to a .171 average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta 2B Dan Uggla did not play Wednesday after being hit with a pitch in Tuesday’s game. Uggla is hitting just .115 (15-for-130) with two homers and nine RBIs in 40 games since June 6.

2. Philadelphia placed 3B Placido Polanco on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with lower back inflammation. The move is retroactive to Monday; Polanco can be activated Aug. 7.

3. Atlanta 3B Chipper Jones has a base hit in 22 of his past 24 games, hitting .364 (32-for-88) with four homers and 17 RBIs in that stretch. The 40-year-old Jones, who will retire at season’s end, is hitting .313.