Oakland @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2008 ) Philadelphia 0, Oakland 5

THE STORY: The Philadelphia Phillies boast the best record in the majors - and a great deal of that success has come in full view of their home fans. The Phillies, who have won 28 of 40 games at Citizens Bank Park this season, will open a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics on Friday. Vance Worley will take the mound for the Phillies, who have won nine of their last 12 contests. Guillermo Moscoso will look to snap the Athletics' modest two-game losing skid.

TV: 7:05 ET, CSN (Philadelphia), FSCA (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Guillermo Moscoso (2-3, 3.30 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Vance Worley (2-1, 3.41 ERA)

Moscoso fared well in his first two outings since being recalled from the minors on May 24. The 27-year-old Venezuelan collected a pair of wins, but it has been all downhill from there. Moscoso suffered three straight losses before settling for a no-decision on Saturday. He permitted two runs on three hits but walked three in 4 2/3 innings against the San Francisco Giants.

After being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Worley pitched well in his last start with the Phillies. The 23-year-old Californian allowed one run on five hits in five innings, but settled for a no-decision in an eventual 5-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday. Worley, who hasn't won since May 4, has served as both a reliever and starter with the Phillies this season.

ABOUT THE ATHLETICS (34-42): With rookie second baseman Jemile Weeks showing promise, veteran Mark Ellis showed some class by taking his demotion in stride. Ellis, who is currently playing in his 10th season with the Athletics, told manager Bob Melvin that "you have to play (Weeks)" and that he would accept a utility role. Ellis shuffled over to first base and made his first career start at that position during Thursday's 4-1 loss to the New York Mets. He went 1-for-3, but did struggle in the field. Prior to the contest, Oakland placed outfielder Josh Willingham on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left Achilles' tendon. Signed to a one-year, $6 million deal in December, Willingham is batting .237 with a team-leading 10 homers and 42 RBIs this season. Hideki Matsui, who is traditionally the team's designated hitter, will likely start two of three games against the Phillies.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (47-29): Philadelphia suffered both insult and injury during its 12-2 loss in the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. The insult is obvious when one looks at the scoreboard, but the injury may be even more disconcerting. Veteran righthander Roy Oswalt departed after two innings with tightness in his lower back. Oswalt, who suffered his sixth loss in seven decisions, has been plagued by a balky back since his previous stint on the disabled list. Carlos Ruiz belted a solo homer and St. Louis native Ryan Howard had an RBI single for Philadelphia, which finished its road trip with a 3-3 mark. Howard is 1-for-13 in his career against Oakland.

FINAL PITCH: The Phillies placed veteran righthander Jose Contreras on the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm strain. The stint on the DL is the second this season for the 39-year-old Cuban. He had pitched only six innings since returning from a right flexor pronator strain in May. In a corresponding move, the Phillies purchased the contract of lefthander Juan Perez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.