Philadelphia @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2011 ) Philadelphia 5, Milwaukee 3

THE STORY: The Milwaukee Brewers are having trouble igniting their offense. After all, the National League Central-leading Brewers have scored seven runs during their current four-game losing skid. The task of generating offense won't get any easier Saturday when Cliff Lee takes the mound for the streaking Philadelphia Phillies. Lee hasn't permitted a run in three straight starts and five of his last six. The Phillies have won 10 of their last 12 and reduced their magic number to nine as they continue their charge toward a fifth consecutive NL East title.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CS Philadelphia, WMLW (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cliff Lee (16-7, 2.47 ERA) vs. Brewers LF Randy Wolf (12-9, 3.47 ERA)

Lee extended his winning streak to seven by scattering five hits in a complete-game shutout against the Atlanta Braves on Monday. The 33-year-old Arkansas native settled for a no-decision in his lone outing against the Brewers this season. Lee allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings as the Phillies eventually went on to post a 4-3 triumph on April 20. Wolf is also riding a hot streak after posting his sixth win in seven decisions. The 35-year-old southpaw yielded one run on four hits over eight innings Monday as the Brewers recorded a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Although Wolf spent his first eight major-league seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, he has won three of five career decisions against the Phillies.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (93-48): With a comfortable lead in the standings, Philadelphia plans to be cautious with Chase Utley (concussion). The five-time All-Star second baseman is expected to sit out the remainder of the team's road trip, which spans through Wednesday. "He’s going to be re-examined on Saturday," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "If the test goes well, he could go ahead and meet the team in Houston on Monday. But I don’t expect him to play the next two series just so we can be cautious. That’s my guess." Ryan Howard belted a three-run homer to guide Philadelphia to its fifth straight win, 5-3. The slugger has struggled against Wolf with two hits in 17 career at-bats. Conversely, Shane Victorino (6-for-18) and Placido Polanco (5-for-12) have fared well agains him.

ABOUT THE BREWERS (85-61): Manager Ron Roenicke's club is mired in a five-game losing skid at home. Prior to this current stretch, Milwaukee only lost two in a row at home once this season. Friday's setback - coupled with the Cardinals' 4-3 victory over the Braves - trimmed the Brewers' lead to seven games in the NL Central. Yuniesky Betancourt had an RBI single and a sacrifice fly, but it was hardly enough Friday. Betancourt has struggled against Lee (4-for-22) in his career, but Prince Fielder is 5-for-6 with six RBIs against the lefthander. All-Star second baseman Rickie Weeks has yet to return to the starting lineup after suffering a severely sprained ankle in late July. He was activated from the disabled list prior to Thursday's game.

FINAL PITCH: Pete Orr, who was playing in place of Utley, collected three hits in the win. Orr nearly had another hit - albeit of a different kind. After sprinting out of the dugout, Orr nearly collided with the "Hot Dog" during the Sausage Race.