Philadelphia @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 12, 2011 ) Philadelphia 1, Houston 5

THE STORY: One day after Brett Myers shut down his former team, J.A. Happ will look to do the same. Myers tossed eight solid innings as the Houston Astros prevented the Philadelphia Phillies from clinching a postseason berth on Monday with a 5-1 home triumph. Much like Myers, Happ is also in the midst of a dark season but can salvage a bit of redemption with a strong outing against the high-octane Phillies. Cole Hamels will provide the opposition for National League East-leading Philadelphia, which can clinch its spot in the playoffs with either a win over the Astros or loss by the St. Louis Cardinals.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, WPHL (Philadelphia), FSH (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (14-7, 2.60 ERA) vs. Astros LH J.A. Happ (5-15, 5.77 ERA)

Hamels is having a fine season, but a lack of run support has prevented his record from being even better. The Phillies' offense stepped to the plate in his last outing, and Hamels shut the door on his end by permitting just four hits in a complete-game gem against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. The 2008 World Series MVP is just 3-2 in his career against the Astros, although he has yet to face them this season.

After pitching in parts of four campaigns with the Phillies, Happ's first full season in Houston isn't going according to plan. The 28-year-old hurler's ERA is over two full runs more than last season and batters are hitting .277 against him in 2011. Happ has dropped 11 of his last 13 decisions, although he matched a season high with eight strikeouts in his last outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (94-50): Hunter Pence received a warm ovation from the faithful at Minute Maid Park prior to his first at-bat on Monday. After being acquired from Houston in July, the two-time All-Star responded with a brief wave of acknowledgement before ripping a double. Pence added a single to collect his fifth multiple-hit game in eight contests. He is 3-for-6 in his career versus Happ. Jimmy Rollins returned to the lineup on Monday and had an eighth-inning single to end his 1-for-4 night. Rollins had been relegated to pinch-hitting duty as the Phillies' brass didn't wish to rush him back from his right groin strain.

ABOUT THE ASTROS (50-97): The good news for Houston? Well, it prevented history by avoiding its franchise-worst 98th loss of the season on Monday. The bad news? The Astros have 15 more chances to set the record. Houston accumulated 97 losses in the 1965, 1975 and 1991 campaigns. Carlos Lee belted a two-run homer off former teammate Roy Oswalt in the fifth inning on Monday. Lee, who went 2-for-3, has hit safely in six straight games and 20 of his last 21. The veteran has struggled against Hamels, going 5-for-20 in his career - although he has two homers.

FINAL PITCH: Although the Phillies lost, they saw their magic number for clinching their fifth consecutive NL East title fall to five after the second-place Atlanta Braves dropped a 5-4 decision to the Florida Marlins in 12 innings on Monday.