Philadelphia @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 20, 2010 ) Chi. Cubs 4, Philadelphia 5

Charlie Manuel helped guide the National League All-Stars to their first triumph in the Midsummer Classic since 1996.

Now, the veteran manager would like to see his Philadelphia Phillies benefit from that victory.

With home-field advantage in the World Series awaiting the winner of the Senior Circuit this year, the two-time defending National League champion Phillies (47-40) open a four-game set against the sputtering Chicago Cubs (39-50) on Thursday.

Philadelphia, which swept the Cincinnati Reds in a four-game series prior to the All-Star break, still has a bit of work to do to catch the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves.

The Phillies, who are 4 1/2 games behind the Braves, can start their charge on Thursday by matching their season-high of five straight victories with a win over the Cubs.

Jamie Moyer (9-8, 4.51 ERA) will take the hill looking to snap a personal two-game slide. The 47-year-old left-hander struggled in his last outing against the Braves, surrendering seven runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings eight days ago.

On Thursday, he faces the team which drafted him in the sixth round of the 1984 draft. Moyer has dueled the Cubs already this season, allowing two runs and four hits in seven innings in a 4-1 loss on May 19.

Chicago will counter with Ryan Dempster (7-7, 3.61 ERA), who has been undone by limited run support of late. The 33-year-old British Columbia native has posted a 2-4 mark with just a 3.04 ERA in his last seven starts at Wrigley Field.

In his last outing, Dempster was given plenty of offense as he allowed three runs and fanned six in five innings in an 8-3 triumph over the Arizona Diamondbacks last Wednesday.

Dempster needs to be careful when pitching to All-Star Ryan Howard, who is batting .320 with 11 of his team-leading 17 homers coming against right-handers this season. Howard also shares the National League lead with 65 RBIs.

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz has enjoyed two solid games since returning from the disabled list with a concussion. He is 3-for-6 with three doubles and two runs scored in a pair of 1-0 victories over the Reds.

Conversely, the Cubs are simply having trouble hitting the ball. Chicago has been outscored 35-12 in its last seven games, hitting a paltry .221 in the process.

Losers of three of their last four, Cubs are embarking on a 10-game homestand which could do a lot to improve their standing. They currently sit in fourth-place in the NL Central, 9 1/2 games behind the front-running Reds.