Philadelphia @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( May 11, 2013 ) Philadelphia 3, Arizona 1

Leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins is heating up and the Philadelphia Phillies hope the rest of the order follows. The Phillies will try for a split of the four-game series when they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. Rollins is 6-for-16 with three RBIs and two runs scored in the last four games after going 4-for-32 with three runs and two RBIs in his previous nine contests. Rollins had two RBIs on Saturday when Philadelphia snapped Arizona's five-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory.

The Phillies average 3.5 runs per game - fifth-worst in baseball - and their cleanup hitter has something to do with it. Ryan Howard has not homered in four games and has one in his last eight while striking out 16 times in 27 at-bats during that span. He is hitting .252 with an on-base percentage of .289. The Phillies will give the ball to Kyle Kendrick, who has been their most consistent starter. He will face Brandon McCarthy, who is still looking for his first victory in an Arizona uniform.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, PHL 17 (Philadelphia), Fox Sports Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (4-1, 2.45 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Brandon McCarthy (0-3, 6.75)

With Roy Halladay likely out for the season with a shoulder injury, Philadelphia will need Kendrick to continue to be at his best. The 28-year-old Houston native has recorded six consecutive quality starts since his season-opening loss and has won his last three outings, including two on the road. Kendrick has allowed 42 hits and 10 walks in 47 2/3 innings, leading to a 1.09 WHIP. He is 0-2 with a 6.06 ERA in seven games (six starts) against Arizona, including 0-2, 11.57 last season.

McCarthy is struggling in his first season in the desert, but turned in his first quality start in his last outing. He yielded three runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings in Arizona's 5-3 victory at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. McCarthy has allowed an eye-popping 61 hits in 40 innings, leading to a 1.68 WHIP and a staggering .347 batting average against. McCarthy has never faced Philadelphia, but Michael Young and Delmon Young have each homered in a combined 44 at-bats against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona C Miguel Montero, who won Friday's game with a home run in the eighth inning, is 6-for-9 with a home run and a double against Kendrick.

2. Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon recorded the final five outs Saturday for his sixth save in six chances this season and his seventh career save of more than an inning.

3. Arizona LHP Matt Reynolds added to his team record with his 22nd consecutive relief appearance Saturday.

PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Diamondbacks 2