June 30 -- FIRST UP, J-ROLL RETURNS (UPDATED)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ATLANTA -- So, we've touched down in the Deep South (strange, isn't it, that the Phillies haven't been here yet this season, and it's nearly July?), and when things get started tonight at Turner Field, there will be intrigue from the very first pitch.

Jimmy Rollins will be at the plate.

Unless he has changed his mind since Sunday evening in Toronto, Charlie Manuel will write a lineup that features Rollins at the top. Rollins, of course, hasn't played since last Wednesday night at Tampa Bay. The four-game, five-day sabbatical was Manuel's idea, a seemingly last-ditch effort to shake Rollins loose from a three-month offensive funk. Rollins is hitless in 19 at-bats, 7-for-56 since June 9, and batting .211 overall in 68 games. His .254 on-base percentage isn't only the worst among regular leadoff hitters in the majors, but it's the worst among all players with enough at-bats to qualify for either league's batting title.

Clearly, the Phillies need Rollins to be better than that. Significantly better. And, it seems, they need him to do it from the leadoff spot. For all the armchair managers who have been clamoring for Manuel to drop Rollins in the lineup, Manuel has a pat answer: If not Rollins, who should lead off? Shane Victorino is the Phillies' next-best leadoff option, and with Rollins on the bench last week in Tampa and Toronto, Victorino went 2-for-15 with a .222 on-base percentage. Jayson Werth? It's a thought, sure. But Werth generally is too streaky to be a reliable table-setter, and he's the Phillies' only legitimate right-handed power threat, making him valuable in the middle of the lineup.

So, it would seem the Phillies are stuck with Rollins in the leadoff spot, for better or worse. And, after benching him for the past four games, they certainly hope it's for the better.

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Another storyline we'll be following today: With Antonio Bastardo going on the disabled list late last night, the Phillies officially need a starter for Thursday night's game. Pitching coach Rich Dubee said last week the Phillies usually call up the pitcher/player who has been pitching/playing the best recently. According to that criteria, the choice will come down to Lehigh Valley right-handers Carlos Carrasco or Drew Carpenter. Rodrigo Lopez, who has major-league experience with the Orioles and Rockies, is also in the mix.

It's possible the Phillies won't make a decision (or announce their decision) until tomorrow, although I'm thinking (hoping) we'll know something today. So, please check back later for any updates.

(Updated, 3:32 p.m.): J.A. Happ has been listed as Thursday night's starter, which means the Phillies won't use Carrasco or Carpenter or Lopez until Friday night in the opener of a three-game series against the Mets. Should know more after the Phillies' clubhouse opens to the media in about 8 minutes, so please check back or follow me on Twitter for the latest info.

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Kyle Drabek won't get the call this week and probably won't be a candidate to pitch for the Phillies until next year. But old friend Ken Mandel has a story about Drabek in today's News Journal. It's a good read, if you're inclined to check it out.

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I've never been a particularly vocal opponent of inter-league play. Frankly, I think it's a nice change of pace in the middle of the season to see some American League teams. But here's something to consider: The Phillies went 6-12 in inter-league play. The Rockies went 11-4. If they wind up battling for the NL wild-card spot, the Phillies faced the ultra-competitive AL East in inter-league play (Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays), while the Rockies played the far less difficult AL West.

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Finally, any trip to Atlanta wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Vortex, home of the best Buffalo burgers and tater tots I've ever had. Hoping to make it over there sometime this week. Meanwhile, here's your Phillies-Braves preview:

PHILLIES (39-34) at BRAVES (35-40)
Tonight, 7:10: RHP Joe Blanton (4-4, 5.06) vs. RHP Derek Lowe (7-6, 4.53)
Tomorrow, 7:10: LHP Cole Hamels (4-4, 4.44) vs. RHP Jair Jurrjens (5-6, 2.93)
Thursday, 7:10: TBA vs. RHP Javier Vazquez (5-7, 3.04)
Hot: Phillies RF Jayson Werth is 9-for-19 (.474) with three homers, five RBIs and a .593 on-base percentage over the last six games; Phillies 2B Chase Utley is batting .333 (18-for-54) in his last 14 games; Braves SS Yunel Escobar is 10-for-28 (.357) with three runs and four RBIs over his last six games; Braves LF Garret Anderson is batting .385 (15-for-39) with eight RBIs in his last 10 games.
Not: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins, hitless in 19 at-bats and 7-for-56 since June 9, will return to the leadoff spot tonight after a four-game benching; Phillies 3B Pedro Feliz is 7-for-37 (.149) with three RBIs in his last 12 games; Braves 3B Chipper Jones has one hit in his last 13 at-bats; Braves RF Jeff Francoeur has one home run in his last 80 at-bats.