Hamels tries to end losing ways against slumping Brewers

Cole Hamels has not pitched with a lead since April 7. He tries to snap a personal five-game losing streak against the Brewers. (Kevin Durso/Philliedelphia)

The Phillies managed to split a four-game series with the upstart Boston Red Sox after falling miserably on Monday. They ended their bid for .500 on a sour note, however, falling on Thursday, 9-2. 

But after facing the Red Sox, Nationals and Reds in their last 10 games, the Phillies (26-28) get 13 straight games against teams with losing records. The first of those teams is the Brewers (19-33) who have the third-worst record in baseball and were swept by the Twins in a four-game series. The Twins had lost 12 of 13 games entering the series.

Cole Hamels (1-8, 4.43 ERA) gets the start for the Phillies. Hamels is still trying to get back to winning ways, suffering the loss in his last start against the Nationals. He allowed five runs – three earned – on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. He faced the Brewers once in 2012, allowing three runs in 7 2/3 innings in a win. In his career against the Brewers, Hamels is 6-2 with a 3.42 ERA. At Citizens Bank Park, he is 48-36 with a 3.30 ERA.

The Phillies will face right-hander Yovani Gallardo (3-5, 4.79 ERA). Gallardo lost his last start against the Pirates, allowing four runs in four innings. Gallardo allowed one run on four hits in seven innings in his only start against the Phillies in 2012, getting the win. He is 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA against the Phillies in his career. This is his first career start at Citizens Bank Park.

Game Notes:

• The Phillies can close out May with a winning record with a win tonight. They are 14-13 in the month so far.
• Meanwhile, you can count the number of wins the Brewers have this month on one hand. Seriously. They are 5-22 in May.
• The Phillies were 5-2 against the Brewers last season and are 22-10 against the Brewers in the history of Citizens Bank Park.
• Humberto Quintero is in the lineup because he is very familiar with Gallardo. He is a career 5-for-16 off him with a walk and three strikeouts. Ben Revere and Ryan Howard also have batting averages above .300 in their career against Gallardo. Revere is a career 4-for-13 and Howard is 3-for-8 with a home run.

Phillies lineup

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Cesar Hernandez 2B
3. Jimmy Rollins SS
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Domonic Brown LF
6. Delmon Young RF
7. Freddy Galvis 3B
8. Humberto Quintero C
9. Cole Hamels P

Cole Hamels will start tonight's game.

Brewers lineup

1. Norichika Aoki RF
2. Jean Segura SS
3. Ryan Braun LF
4. Aramis Ramirez 3B
5. Carlos Gomez CF
6. Jonathan Lucroy C
7. Yuniesky Betancourt 1B
8. Jeff Bianchi 2B
9. Yovani Gallardo P

Yovani Gallardo will start tonight's game.

TV: CSN

Radio: 94 WIP/1210 WPHT

Kevin Durso is a contributor for Philliedelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.