San Diego @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2018 ) San Diego 0, Philadelphia 0

The Philadelphia Phillies finished the first half of the season as the National League's best home team, and that success at Citizens Bank Park has played a critical role in allowing them to position themselves atop their division. Following Saturday's rainout, the Phillies look to keep it rolling at home on Sunday when they wrap up their three-game set with the split doubleheader against the San Diego Padres.

Philadelphia won for the seventh time in eight contests at Citizens Bank Park and improved to 31-16 at the venue following Friday's 11-5 triumph over the Padres, rallying from a four-run first-inning deficit to maintain its one-half game edge over Atlanta in the NL East. Carlos Santana did the bulk of the damage with a three-run homer during the Phillies' six-run second inning as the first four hitters in the lineup accounted for five runs and nine RBIs. San Diego fell to 1-7 during its 10-game run against each of the division leaders in the NL, dropping three of four to the Los Angeles Dodgers before getting swept by the Chicago Cubs leading into the All-Star break. Freddy Galvis tallied three hits in his first game against the team that traded him in the offseason, including a pair of run-scoring singles.

TV: 12:05 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tyson Ross (5-8, 4.32 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (6-7, 4.58)

After surrendering 15 runs across seven innings in his previous two outings, Ross rebounded with the quality start in a July 12 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, yielding only two runs over 6 1/3 innings. The 2008 second-round pick had been San Diego's best starting pitcher this season prior to his rough beginning to July, posting a 3.32 ERA through his first 16 turns. Ross hasn't enjoyed much luck in five career appearances (three starts) against Philadelphia, however, going 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA.

Pivetta turned in his finest outing in nearly a month while getting the victory on July 12 at Baltimore, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out seven over 6 2/3 frames. The 25-year-old native of British Columbia was pounded for 10 runs and 12 hits across 4 1/3 innings over his previous two starts before defeating the Orioles. Austin Hedges (2-for-4, two homers) and Wil Myers (3-for-4, double) have fared well versus Pivetta, who went 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against San Diego last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies OF Odubel Herrera went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the opener and is batting .354 with 11 RBIs in 18 career games versus San Diego.

2. Padres CF Manuel Margot left in the eighth Friday after suffering an apparent left wrist injury. His status for Sunday is unknown.

3. Philadelphia is 62-31 against San Diego since 2004 - the club's best winning percentage (.667) versus any opponent over that span.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Padres 2