With Free Agency Looming, Kendrick Makes Final Start

With five games remaining on the schedule for the Phillies (71-86) look to rebound from last night's contest, when they were shutout for the 15th time this season. That is the highest amount of times the Phils have been shutout since 1989, when they posted zero's in 16 games. Tonight against the Marlins (75-81), we may see an "era" coming to an end. Kyle Kendrick, who debuted in 2007 for Philadelphia, is slated for what could likely be his last start as a Phillie. While some fans look at this as a long time coming, for the majority of his time here, Kendrick has provided a serviceable arm to the back end of the rotation. 

Kyle Kendrick (9-13, 4.73) will get the ball for the Phillies in what looks to be his final start of the season. When the Phillies finished out the month of April, Kendrick looked like he was going to be a very solid back end starter, posting a 3.52 ERA in five starts. He couldn't maintain that as the season progressed posting ERA's of 4.78 in May, 4.24 in June, 6.94 in July and 5.22 in August. Kyle has the opportunity to finish the season on a high note though, as he has thrown the ball well through his starts in September. In a losing effort to San Diego his last time out, Kendrick gave up three runs on six hits and struggled with control, walking five. He faced Brad Hand and the Marlins earlier this month and worked 6.1 innings giving up one run on seven hits. Heading into his final start, Kendrick holds a career record of 73-68 and an ERA of 4.44.

Taking the mound for Miami is left-hander, Brad Hand (3-8, 4.59). Hand has seen time as both as starter and reliever this season with the Marlins. He has played in 31 games and started 15 of them. His last time out, he gave up five earned runs in five innings of work in a loss to the Nationals. He last faced Philadelphia on the 13th of this month, giving up two runs in six innings in the 2-1 Phillies win. Hand also started a game against the Phillies back on July 2nd, also against Kendrick. He gave up three runs on seven hits over five innings. In four starts this month, Hand is 1-2 with a 4.05 ERA.

Game Notes:

• If this is indeed Kendrick's last start as a Phillie, he is making it against a team he has had plenty of success against. Kyle is 13-3 with a 3.57 ERA in his career against the Marlins. 
• With Jonathan Papelbon's suspension over, Ruben Amaro and Ryne Sandberg have stated that he is the Phillies closer. He has a 2.10 ERA this season and has saved 37 games. 
• Justin De Fratus recorded his eighth consecutive scoreless appearance after a shutout inning on Tuesday night.
• Christian Yelich and Derek Dietrich are a combined 8-for-19 against Kendrick with a double, triple and four RBI's. Garrett Jones has taken Kyle deep twice in his career.
• The Phillies have a combined .236 average against Hand. Darin Ruf and Marlon Byrd have the only extra-base hits against him, both doubles. 
• After last night's start Cole Hamels has gone 22 consecutive outings allowing three runs or less. No Phillies pitcher has had a longer streak since Chris Short in 1967-68 (26 starts). Hamels has a 1.82 ERA on the road this year. 

Lineups:

Phillies Lineup

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Maikel Franco 3B
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Marlon Byrd RF
6. Darin Ruf LF
7. Wil Nieves C
8. Freddy Galvis SS
9. Kyle Kendrick P

Marlins Lineup 

1. Christian Yelich LF
2. Donavan Solano 2B
3. Casey McGehee 3B
4. Justin Bour 1B
5. Garrett Jones RF
6. Adeiny Hechavarria SS
7. Enrique Hernandez CF
8. Jeff Mathis C
9. Brad Hand P

First Pitch: 7:10 PM ET

Location: Marlins Park, Miami, FL

Weather: 81^o F, Light Drizzle, 39% PoP

TV: CSN

Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP