After taking three of four from the Triple-A New York Mets, the Phillies head to Pittsburgh for a three-game exhibition set against the Double-A Pirates.

The Phillies are currently 22 games over .500 and seven games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in first place in the NL East, while the Pirates are 20 games under .500 and 19 games behind the St. Lous Cardinals in the basement of the NL Central. The Pirates have lost five of their last 10 games and have only one starter left on their roster from Opening Day 2008 (Ryan Doumit).

The series kicks off Tuesday night with Joe Blanton (8-6, 3.86) on the mound against Pittsburgh righty Ross Ohlendorf (11-8, 4.15). Blanton allowed 10 hits and three runs in his last outing, but still managed to last eight innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks for the win. This has been par for the course for Blanton since he joined the team midway through the 2008 season.

Ohlendorf has won three straight and has allowed three or fewer runs in nine of his last 10 starts. He did not factor in the decision in his July 11 start against the Phillies. He allowed three earned runs on five hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings.

Wednesday’s game is a battle of the lefties as Cole Hamels (7-8, 4.78) looks to get back on track against Paul Maholm (7-7, 4.74). Hamels continued to struggle his last time out, allowing 10 hits and four runs just five innings Friday in a 4-2 loss to the Mets at Citi Field. He is is 7-8 with the fifth-highest ERA (4.72) in the National League.

“I’ve always been a step ahead, and right now I’m neck-and-neck,” Hamels said. “I might have a good game or a good inning, but you really have to put it together, pitch by pitch, inning by inning, to make it a good game. And then you have to back it up with another good game and another good game. Like what our other four starters are doing. For some odd reason, I’m the one that’s bringing them down. I don’t like that fact at all.”

Maholm tossed 7 2/3 innings his last time out and allowed just one run on seven hits despite getting hit by two line drives in his left tricep and left shin. He is 3-1 with a 3.71 ERA in five career starts against the Phillies.

The series wraps up on Thursday with J.A. Happ (10-2, 2.59) on the mound against Charlie Morton (3-6, 5.21). Happ, the leading contender for NL Rookie of the Year honors, is 10-2 with a 2.59 ERA on the season. He struggled with his command in his last outing Saturday over the Mets, but still only allowed just one run in the 4-1 victory. With a win on Thursday, Happ would become the first Phillies rookie to win 11 games since Bob Walk in 1980. No Phillies rookie has had a lower ERA since Eppa Rixey’s 2.50 ERA in 1912 and his ERA is the lowest for any rookie pitcher anywhere since Hideo Nomo in 1995, when he had a 2.54 ERA.

Morton snapped a four game losing streak his last time out, allowing just two runs in 6 1/3 innings. He faced the Phillies once in 2008 and took a loss after allowing five runs in two innings.