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Dodgers Vs. Phillies Game Preview: A Tale Of Four Returning Stars

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies battle for the second time this season, and the Dodgers hope to replicate the success of their four-game sweep in Philadelphia last month. Since then, the Dodgers are 11-21 and the Phillies just 11-20, but both teams have a pair of stars who have recently returned.

Matt Kemp missed 51 of the Dodgers' final 53 games before the All-Star break with a pair of left hamstring strains, and he was activated Friday. He played two of the three games against the Padres over the weekend, sitting Sunday, and was 5-for-9 with a double.

After straining his left oblique on a check swing, Andre Ethier missed 11 games before returning with Kemp on Friday. Ethier homered and drove in four runs on Saturday and finished the weekend at 5-for-11 with five RBI in three games.

Ryan Howard missed the first 84 games this season after surgery on his left Achilles, and injury suffered during last year's playoffs. Since his return last week, Howard has started four of six games and is 2-for-16 with a double and two walks.

Chase Utley missed all of spring training and the first 76 games of the regular season with bilateral chondromalacia, and has started 10 of the last 14 games at second base for the Phillies. In 12 games this season, Utley is hitting .262/.289/.405 with two home runs and six RBI.

Monday's 7:10 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Prime Ticket. For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA.

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