Outfield Shane Victorino will be activated from the disabled list and return to the Phillies' lineup as the team continues its series vs. the Cubs Tuesday evening. The speedster has been on the DL since July 4 with a sprained ligament in his thumb, but will provide the club with a needed offensive boost after Philly scored just one run against Chicago in the series opener on Monday.
On the mound for the Phils will be left-handed ace Cliff Lee, who's been dominant against the Cubs in his career. In his MLB tenure, Lee has yet to drop a starting outing against Chicago in five appearances on the hill, posting an impressive earned run average of 1.59. Against Lee in terms of pitching this evening will be righty Matt Garza, the former Rays World Series pitcher who last faced the Phils on June 11, when he allowed two runs in six innings.
Looking for his 10th victory after resting following a two-inning appearance in this year's All-Star Game, Lee allowed just one earned run on four hits with seven strikeouts in his only other outing against the Cubs this year.
Philadelphia leads the season series vs. the Cubs 3-2 and remains two and a half games ahead of its NL East competitors for the division lead.