Phillies return home against Astros

Aug 3, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Cody Asche (25) reaches for a ground ball in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies return to Citizens Bank Park with struggling Kyle Kendrick on the hill after a road trip and a day off to face the Houston Astros.

Kendrick (5-11) hasn’t gone longer than six innings in over a month.  He was placed on revocable trade waivers on Saturday.

Jose Altuve, Matt Dominguez and Jason Castro all have a .500 batting average against Kendrick although none have more than four at bats against him.

Left-hander Dallas Keuchel will toe the rubber for Houston.  Keuchel (10-7, 2.97) is coming off an impressive complete game against the Oakland Athletics.  The southpaw gave up only one run on four hits while striking out five batters.  That was his fourth complete game of the season and just his fifth in three big-league seasons.

Ben Revere gets leadoff duties for the Phillies and they’ll look for him to get to Keuchel early and often.  Revere batted a cool .359 in July, but is off to a slower start in August going 2-for-12 so far.  He owns a .316 average at Citizens Bank Park with 11 stolen bases and five triples.

Chase Utley and Ryan Howard will occupy the three and four holes in the Phillies’ lineup Tuesday night.  The duo is slumping in a big way.

Utley is hitless in his last 16 at bats.  The second baseman has a walk against Keuchel.

Howard has experienced offensive woes all season, but is hitless in his last 13 at bats.  He is 0-for-3 career versus Keuchel.

The versatile Darin Ruf gets another look from the Phillies, this time in left field.

Starting Lineups 8/5:

Astros

Altuve 2B, Grossman RF, Carter LF, Castro C, Singleton 1B, Dominguez 3B, Marisnick CF, Gonzalez SS, Keuchel P

Phillies

Revere CF, Rollins SS, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Byrd RF, Ruiz C, Ruf LF, Asche 3B, Kendrick P