Phillies vs. Astros preview

1:05 Citizens Bank Park. TV: Comcast SportsNet. Radio: WPHT (1210-AM); WUBA (1480-AM) Spanish.

Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick (8-6, 4.58) vs. Astros LHP Wandy Rodriguez (9-12, 4.00)

Jayson Werth: The rightfielder hit his 17th homer of the season last night, a solo shot off J.A. Happ in the fifth inning.

Ryan Howard: The slugger got last night off, 1 night after being ejected in the 14th inning of the Phillies' 4-2 loss to the Astros. He singled as a pinch-hitter in the ninth last night. Since coming off the disabled list with a sprained ankle, he is 3-for-20 with 10 strikeouts.

Kyle Kendrick vs. Astros: Kendrick's up-and-down season continued 5 days ago against the Nationals when he allowed five runs on nine hits and four walks in an 8-1 loss. He faced the Astros on May 22, allowing five runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 5-0 loss.

Phillies vs. Wandy Rodriguez: Rodriguez is the type of lefty starter who can give the Phillies problems, and he did just that last Sept. 4, striking out seven in seven scoreless innings of a 7-0 Astros win.

Phillies vs. Michael Bourn: The Astros centerfielder and former Phillies prospect entered last night having scored two runs in the series and added a third with a solo home run off Roy Halladay in the sixth.

Friday at San Diego: Phillies RHP Roy Oswalt (3-1, 2.43) vs. Padres RHP Mat Latos (13-5, 2.33)

Saturday at San Diego: Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (5-6, 5.32) vs. Padres RHP Jon Garland (13-8, 3.25)

Sunday at San Diego: Phillies LHP Cole Hamels (7-10, 3.47) vs. Padres LHP Clayton Richard (12-5, 3.55)