July 1 -- FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

BY SCOTT LAUBER

ATLANTA -- OK, when it comes to the Phillies' starting rotation, this much we know: Cole Hamels will pitch tonight, followed by J.A. Happ tomorrow.

But Friday night remains a mystery.

Talked to assistant GM Benny Looper before last night's game, and he said the Phils are "pretty close" to deciding on a starter for the opener of a three-game July 4 weekend series against the free-falling Mets at the Bank. Looper said the front office and coaching staff have held several conference calls over the past few days to weigh their options at Lehigh Valley, putting an emphasis on recent performance and overall experience, and the candidates have been narrowed to three right-handers.

Carlos Carrasco: He has the least experience (21 career Class AAA starts, none in the majors) but the best stuff. And in his last two starts, the 22-year-old has allowed two runs in 13-1/3 innings. Every major-league pitcher gets their first start sometime? His time may be now.

Drew Carpenter: Unimpressive in a May 16 spot start in Washington (five runs on eight hits in 4-1/3 innings), the 24-year-old is 6-1 with a 1.50 ERA at Lehigh Valley ever since. It doesn't get much better.

Rodrigo Lopez: Once upon a time, he was a hard-throwing, 15-game winner for the Orioles. At age 33, he's lose some zip on his fastball, Looper said. He's 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA in his last three starts at Lehigh Valley, but unlike Carrasco and Carpenter, he can't be sent back to the minors without clearing waivers, a lack of contract flexibility that may work against him.

One thing is certain: With Antonio Bastardo on the disabled list and restricted from throwing for at least two weeks because of a left posterior shoulder strain, and the trade market still ice cold, whichever pitcher the Phillies choose will make at least two starts before the All-Star break and perhaps more during the season’s second half.

"I wouldn't consider this a spot start," Looper said. "It's a performance business, and if he performs, he's got a chance to stay there for a while. A lot of factors come involved -- do we make a trade, do we not make a trade, does somebody else get hurt? But I wouldn't term it a one-start thing."

OK, you make the call: Who should start Friday night?