Phillies back home to host Reds, Marlins and Braves

It’s really hard to predict what the Phillies will do this weekend when they return home to Citizens Bank Park following a very long and draining 10-game road trip.

The Phillies will have played 22 games away from Philly when they arrive Friday to face the Reds, and just 13 at home. In South Philly they have an 8-5 mark.

They also have an ugly, negative run differential and one of the worst offenses in baseball. But thanks to their outstanding pitching, they are winning.

If you remember, before the Phillies exceeded everyone’s expectations, the Reds swept the Phillies to open the season in Cincinnati. Since they they have had diverging paths.

Philly’s pitching and clutch hitting have them in the playoff picture (albeit the extremely early playoff picture) while the Reds have descended to the bottom of the NL Central.

The two clash Friday night at 7:05 p.m. with Jeremy Hellickson on the mound for the home squad. He’ll be countered by leftyBrandon Finnegan — fresh off his worst start of the season.

Aaron Nola and Adam Morgan will pitch in Games 2 and 3 respectively, facing off against rookie Tim Adleman and Dan Strailyon Saturday and Sunday.

It will be interesting to see if the Phillies’ offense wakes up a bit, back in the friendly confines with players able to get a home night’s rest after nearly two weeks on the road.

The homestand will stretch to nine games with NL East foes the Marlins and Braves visiting town next week.