Philadelphia @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( May 26, 2011 ) Cincinnati 4, Philadelphia 10

THE STORY: Inclement weather been a constant nuisance for the Philadelphia Phillies. Last week, rain showers forced their starters from games during series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington Nationals. This past weekend, Hurricane Irene made her presence felt up and down the East Coast, abbreviating a would-be four-game series against the Florida Marlins into one contest Friday. The Phillies will shake off the rust when they travel to Cincinnati to open a four-game set against the Reds on Monday. the Buckeye State to open a four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSOH

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (13-7, 2.62 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (7-5, 4.44 ERA).

Despite Mother Nature's curveball, Hamels will make his return to the rotation. The 2008 World Series MVP has been sidelined since Aug. 12 with left shoulder inflammation. In truth, his move to the disabled list last week - retroactive to Aug. 13 - was merely procedural so that Philadelphia could properly set its rotation. Hamels has allowed three runs or fewer in 22 of his last 24 starts. In his last outing, he yielded three runs on six hits and matched a season-worst with four walks in five innings against the Nationals. Bailey has permitted just three runs in each of his last two outings, but has a pair of no-decisions to show for it. The former first-round pick allowed just five hits over seven innings Wednesday, but the Florida Marlins rallied for a 6-5 victory. Bailey, who is 0-2 in his career against the Phillies, recorded a no-decision after yielding four runs on five hits in an eventual 10-4 loss May 26.

ABOUT THE REDS (67-66): Joey Votto belted a pair of homers - including a walkoff shot in the 14th inning - as the Reds capped a sweep of the Nationals with a 5-4 triumph Sunday. The reigning National League MVP has been torching the competition of late, going 21-for-56 with nine homers and 16 RBIs in his last 17 games. Votto, however, is just 2-for-12 in his career versus Hamels. Former Phillie Scott Rolen is slowly working his way back from arthroscopic surgery. The veteran third baseman has started taking ground balls and batting practice and may soon have a rehab assignment in his future.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (83-46): After having two unscheduled days off due to Hurricane Irene, manager Charlie Manuel's club will not have another for the remainder of the season. Philadelphia plays 33 games in 31 days, with a make-up doubleheader tabbed for Sept. 15. That date was to be the team's last day off during the regular season. Philadelphia has defeated the Reds in seven of their last eight meetings, including a clean sweep in last year's National League Division Series. Shane Victorino saw his 12-game hitting streak come to an end Friday; he is 3-for-7 in his career against Bailey. Raul Ibanez has missed four straight starts, but he did collect a pinch-hit single in the ninth Friday. Ibanez, who is nursing a left groin injury, is day-to-day.

FINAL PITCH: "It didn’t feel like a great day with the bat for me, but I end up with a couple homers and a couple walks. It’s such an odd game sometimes." - Votto