John Lackey

While this week’s Red Sox-Phillies series promises several marquee pitching matchups, Wednesday’s game will feature two back-of-the-rotation hurlers at Citizens Bank Park. Struggling veteran John Lackey will take the mound for the Red Sox, while the Phillies counter with young righty Vance Worley, a rookie who’s had success while flying under the radar in Philadelphia’s rotation of superstars.

Lackey (5-6, 7.36 ERA) will get another shot at redemption in the midst of the worst season of his career. He didn’t exactly impress in his last start, giving up five runs, four hits and four walks before being pulled in the fourth inning against the Padres, an outing that was made more challenging by multiple rain delays. Lackey did go eight innings against the Brewers on June 17, although he gave up four runs on eight hits. With Clay Buchholz poised for a return from the DL, Lackey could be pitching for his spot in the rotation, although Andrew Miller or Tim Wakefield could be moved to the bullpen instead.

The Phillies roster has amassed 143 plate appearances against Lackey, and nearly every Philadelphia regular has seen him at least five times. Raul Ibanez has a team-high 59 plate appearances against the Boston starter from his days with the Mariners. Ibanez is hitting a sweltering .352 off Lackey with four doubles, five walks and six RBI. Placido Polanco has hit for the cycle in 24 plate appearances against the right-hander, although the single, double, triple and home run are his only four hits off Lackey. Polanco is the only Phillies hitter with a home run off the Boston starter.

In 37 career plate appearances, Lackey is hitting .086 with a double, an RBI and 10 strikeouts. Two of his three hits came off Ubaldo Jimenez, and the third came against Barry Zito.

Worley (2-1, 2.83 ERA) will be making his ninth career start on Wednesday and his seventh of 2011. With just 48 career innings under his belt, it comes as no surprise that the 23-year-old has yet to face a Red Sox hitter. Left-handed hitters are batting .250 against Worley, while he’s held righties to .242.

The Phillies will have an obvious advantage playing at home in the interleague matchup, and Worley has pitched his best at Citizens Bank Park. The former Long Beach State standout has recorded both of his wins at home, posting a 1.57 ERA and holding opponents to a .163 batting average in 23 innings.

Worley struggled mightily against the Mets on May 29, allowing eight runs in three innings, but bounced back quite well in his two starts in June. Through 11 innings this month, Worley has allowed just one run on six hits while striking out seven and walking six.

At the plate, Worley is 2-for-10 with four strikeouts.

Phillies vs. Lackey

Raul Ibanez (59 plate appearances): .352 BA/.407 OBP/.426 SLG, 4 doubles, 6 RBI, 5 walks, 5 strikeouts

Placido Polanco (24): .174/.208/.435, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 2 RBI, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

Ross Gload (17): .294/.294/.471, 3 doubles, 2 RBI, 2 strikeouts

Ben Francisco (7): 3-for-7, 1 double

Jimmy Rollins (6): 0-for-5, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

Carlos Ruiz (6): 0-for-6, 1 RBI, 3 strikeouts

Ryan Howard (5): 2-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

Chase Utley (5): 0-for-4, 1 walk

Shane Victorino (5): 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 2 walks, 1 HBP

Wilson Valdez (4): 1-for-4, 2 strikeouts

Brian Schneider (3): 0-for-3

Cole Hamels (2): 1-for-2

Dominic Brown has not faced the Boston starter.

Red Sox vs. Worley

No Boston hitter has faced the Phillies starter.