By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – After losing two out of three to the Braves to fall to 3-3 on this nine-game homestand, the Phillies give the ball to right-hander Roy Halladay tonight as they open a three game series with the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park.

Halladay’s last start was one of the most encouraging developments of the last few weeks as he finally looked like the ace the Phillies need him to be.  He went seven dominant innings in a 3-0 win over Arizona, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out five.  It was his first win since returning from the DL in mid-July.  Overall here in 2012, Halladay is 5-6 with a 4.02 ERA.  In his career vs. St. Louis in the regular-season, Halladay is 2-2 in five starts with a 3.09 ERA.

The Cardinals will start former Phillie Kyle Lohse in this one.  The veteran right-hander is enjoying a fine 2012 season, 12-2 in 23 starts with a 2.79 ERA.

Phillies are 50-61 on the season while the Cardinals are 61-51 and in third place in the NL Central, five games behind first place Cincinnati.

This will be the Cardinals first visit to CBP since they won Game #5 of the 2011 NLDS last October, 1-0, beating Halladay.

Phillies and Cardinals met in St. Louis back in late May, Phils winning three of four.

KYW’s Matt Leon spoke with the Missourinet’s Bill Pollock, who covers the Cardinals, about the match-up and what’s been working in St. Louis as of late.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.