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Cubs-Phillies Preview

Jul 21, 2009 - 4:04 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (47-43) at Philadelphia (51-38), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Philadelphia Phillies are on the verge of surpassing the .500 mark at home for the first time this season.

On Tuesday night, the Phillies can finally do that by extending their season-high winning streak to 10 games when they face the Chicago Cubs.

After winning a Citizens Bank Park-record 48 games during its World Series championship season of 2008, Philadelphia (52-38) struggled at home much of the first half.

That's changed in July, as the AL East-leading Phillies have won six in a row and are 10-1 there this month after a 10-1 rout of Chicago in Monday's opener.

Winners in 13 of 14 overall, Philadelphia is 23-23 at Citizens Bank, where the team is batting .300 with 18 homers and averaging almost seven runs this month.

"They are a great team," Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot said. "We have to play better if we want to have a chance."

Raul Ibanez had a three-run homer, Ryan Howard a solo shot and Rodrigo Lopez allowed one run over six innings Monday for Philadelphia, which hasn't won 10 in a row since a 13-game streak July 30-Aug. 12, 1991.

"We still have to go out there and play," manager Charlie Manuel told the Phillies' official Web site. "We don't want to get ahead of ourselves."

Ibanez, who has a team-leading 25 homers, is batting .348 (8 for 23) with three home runs and nine RBIs in his last six games since coming off the disabled list with a groin injury.

Howard has 24 homers, and two in his last three games versus Chicago (47-44).

The Phillies, whose starters have a 2.42 ERA over the last 14 games, turn to Joe Blanton (6-4, 4.44 ERA) as he takes the ball after his start Saturday at Florida was wiped out after 1 1/3 innings because of rain.

"I don't really like having breaks," said the right-hander, who's allowed one run in 14 2/3 innings while winning his last two starts. "So I'm glad this is going to be quicker. ... I'd rather stay on normal routine."

Blanton gave up two runs in 5 2-3 innings, but didn't factor in the decision of a 3-2 loss to the Cubs on Aug. 29 in his only appearance against them.

Chicago hopes Rich Harden (6-6, 5.06) can continue his road success in this contest.

After allowing 11 runs in seven innings while losing his previous two starts - both at home, Harden gave up one and three hits while striking out seven in six innings of a 6-2 win at Washington on Thursday.

Though the right-hander is 2-5 with a 7.59 ERA in nine starts at home, he's 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA in six away from Wrigley Field.

"I haven't really thought about it too much," Harden told the Cubs' official Web site. "I've had some tough games at home with the wind blowing out and the ball carrying."

Harden is 1-0 with an 0.69 ERA in two starts versus Philadelphia - both last season.

Alfonso Soriano had three hits but dropped a key fly ball Monday for the Cubs, who had their four-game winning streak snapped.

Despite his continued defensive struggles in left field, Soriano is batting .372 (16 for 43) in his last 12 games since being dropped from the leadoff spot.