Game 7: Phillies return home from rough trip to face Reds

The Phillies are back in Philadelphia for the first time since last year's World Series. The club is off to a rough start, having dropped five of its first six games. 

Bryce Harper was on the field and hitting off a tee before batting practice again on Friday. It's a good sign, but it doesn't mean he's ahead of schedule in the rehab process. He hopes to rejoin the team in late May. 

Darick Hall will undergo surgery next week for a torn ligament in his right thumb, and he'll be out until after the All-Star break. Manager Rob Thomson said Kody Clemens will assume a significant role in Hall's absence. 

"He would have made the team out of camp if the roster looked different," Thomson said. "He was hitting really well during the spring." 

If Clemens struggles, then Alec Bohm could shift over from third base. Edmundo Sosa could then move into the starting lineup and take over duties at third base. 

The Phillies fell in their series finale with the Yankees on Wednesday, 4-2. Aaron Nola allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings. Kyle Schwarber homered for the second game in a row, and Bryson Stott again pieced together a multi-hit performance, raising his average to .435 on the year. 

As for coming home having lost five of six to open the season, Thomson isn't overly concerned, at least not yet. 

"It'll be nice to be in front of the home fans here, and the atmosphere will be great," Thomson said. "It was a tough week, so we need to flush it and move forward." 

Zack Wheeler will aim to bounce back from a lackluster outing last week. The right-hander failed to get out of the fifth inning in a loss to Texas, tossing 4 1/3 frames while surrendering five runs (four earned) on seven hits. Wheeler has enjoyed success in his career at Citizens Bank Park, posting a 2.37 ERA over 45 starts. He's also pitched well against the Reds, pitching to a 3.19 ERA in five starts. 

The Reds counter with right-hander Hunter Greene. The 23-year-old lasted 3 1/3 innings in his first start against the Pirates last week. He whiffed eight, but surrendered five hits, walked three, and allowed three runs. 

Phillies Lineup 

Turner 6 Schwarber DH Realmuto 2 Castellanos 9 Stott 4 Bohm 5 Cave 7 Clemens 3 Marsh 8 Wheeler RHP 

Reds Lineup 

TBA 

The Weather 

Cloudy skies with temps hovering in the 50s. 

The Odds 

The Phillies are heavy favorites today at -185. The over/under is 7.5 runs.