Philadelphia @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( May 15, 2012 ) Houston 3, Philadelphia 4

The Philadelphia Phillies are making a late run at a National League wild-card spot and seek to take another step on Thursday when they open a four-game series against the host Houston Astros. The Phillies appeared ready to play out the string before reeling off seven straight victories to climb above .500 for the first time being 28-27 on June 3. Philadelphia is three games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL’s second wild card.

Houston has scored one run or less in four of the last five games and tallied just three runs in a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs. The Astros are two losses away from their second straight 100-loss season. Philadelphia was 14 games below .500 at one point in July but has been playing the best baseball in the National League of late, winning 15 of 19 games. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in Wednesday’s victory over the Miami Marlins and is batting .326 with four homers in September.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, WB17 (Philadelphia), Fox Sports Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Tyler Cloyd (1-1, 4.24 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lucas Harrell (10-9, 3.83)

Cloud is making his fourth big-league start since being recalled in late August. His best start was his second when he struck out nine in seven innings while defeating the Cincinnati Reds. He took a no-decision in his last outing when he gave up four runs and eight hits in four innings against the Colorado Rockies.

Harrell has allowed just five runs over his last three starts but has received no-decisions in each of them. After allowing one run over seven innings in two straight outings, he gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings against Cincinnati in his last start. Harrell has allowed two or fewer runs in 11 of his past 14 starts. He lost to the Phillies on May 14 when he gave up three runs (two earned) and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia 3B Kevin Frandsen (fibula) is close to returning to the lineup.
2. Houston reliever Mickey Storey was struck in the side of the face by a line during Wednesday’s loss to Chicago but was able to walk off the field with the help of team trainers.
3. Phillies OF John Mayberry is batting .353 (24-for-68) over his last 19 games.