Arizona @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2011 ) Arizona 2, Philadelphia 9

THE STORY: The Arizona Diamondbacks prevented Roy Halladay from securing his National League-best 16th win of the season Tuesday. The Philadelphia Phillies would like to return the favor as Ian Kennedy vies for that same honor. Kennedy will attempt to win his eighth straight start Thursday when he takes the mound for the rubber match of this three-game series in Philadelphia. The Phillies have won 14 of their last 17, while the Diamondbacks will look to rebound after seeing their seven-game winning streak come to an end following Wednesday's 9-2 loss. The Diamondbacks lead the NL West by 2 1/2 games over the San Francisco Giants.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, CS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (15-3, 3.12 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Vance Worley (8-1, 2.85).

Since yielding seven runs in a loss to the Oakland Athletics on July 3, Kennedy has allowed 13 in his last seven starts. The former first-round pick permitted one run on six hits in seven innings in a 4-3 victory over the New York Mets on Friday. Kennedy scattered three hits en route to posting his lone career shutout against the Phillies on April 25. While Kennedy hasn't lost since July, Worley hasn't tasted defeat since May 29. The 23-year-old rookie is riding a six-game winning streak and is 4-0 in the City of Brotherly Love this season. Worley struggled in his last outing, permitting six runs on seven hits in four innings. The Phillies rallied, however, for a 9-8 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 10. Worley has never faced the Diamondbacks.

ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (69-54): Rookie Paul Goldschmidt belted a two-run homer in the second inning Wednesday, but Arizona couldn't muster any more offense against Cliff Lee. Goldschmidt has at least one hit in 10 of his 14 games since being called up to the majors, but has also struck out 20 times in 44 at-bats. Goldschmidt's homer gave the Diamondbacks 138 for the season - one behind the National League-leading Cincinnati Reds. Arizona managed as many hits (three) as it had errors Wednesday. Lyle Overbay has faced Worley during his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer versus the rookie.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (79-42): Wilson Valdez, playing in place of the injured Placido Polanco, belted a two-run double to snap a tie in the seventh. The Phillies' offense followed suit by scoring five more times in the rout. Hunter Pence scored three times during Wednesday's victory - although his first run was not exactly aesthetically pleasing. After John Mayberry Jr. ripped a single to center, Pence slid into third base before realizing he could trot home without a throw. Pence has 19 hits this month, but is only 1-for-3 in his career against Kennedy. Chase Utley was the only position player not to record a hit Wednesday. He went 0-for-5 to snap a four-game hitting streak. Utley has failed to collect a hit in three career at-bats versus Kennedy.

FINAL PITCH: Thursday's contest is expected to be the 200th consecutive sellout at Citizens Bank Park.