Phillies, Kyle Kendrick Take On Tim Hudson, Braves As Ryan Howard is Scratched

Tonight the Phillies will take on the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park for a 7:15 first pitch.  The reason that the start is delayed is that beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Fox, the All-Star selection show will air prior to all games broadcast regionally on Fox.  The Phillies-Braves matchup will be one of four regional Fox broadcasts tonight.

Kyle Kendrick, who just Monday suffered a mild concussion against the Los Angeles Dodgers, gets the nod for the Phillies.  Kendrick's diagnosis is that it was mild, so he will take his regular turn in the rotation.  Kendrick pitched six innings for the Phillies on Monday, giving up four earned runs in a Phillies 7-5 loss to the Dodgers.

Tim Hudson starts for the Braves coming off a mediocre start against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Hudson lasted five and two-thirds innings while giving up four earned runs.  He would go on to get a no-decision as the Braves would go on to win 11-5.  The struggles of Hudson led to the Braves pushing back his start. For the season Hudson is 4-7 with a 4.22 ERA.    His current ERA is second-worse in his career, behind his 2006 season in which he pitched to a 4.86 ERA.   The 37 year-old Hudson has never had a losing season in his major league career.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was in the original lineup, but was scratched shortly after 5:00 p.m.  Knee pain is the diagnosis for Howard.  Despite the pain persisting, the Phillies have yet to put Howard onto the disabled list.  Maybe the time is coming soon.

Game Notes:

• Jimmy Rollins holds the honor of facing Braves starter Tim Hudson more than any other player.  Rollins is 18 for 81 (.222 batting average) with five walks against Hudson.
• Laynce Nix gets a rare start with Howard out.  His last start was June 13 in Minnesota.
• Phillies killer Brian McCann is back in the lineup after a night off.

Phillies lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Chase Utley 2B
3. Jimmy Rollins SS
4. Domonic Brown LF
5. Michael Young 3B
6. Delmon Young RF
7. Laynce Nix LF
8. Carlos Ruiz C
9. Kyle Kendrick P.

Braves lineup:

1. Andrelton Simmons SS 
2. Jason Heyward RF 
3. Justin Upton LF 
4. Freddie Freeman 1B 
5. Brian McCann C
6. Dan  Uggla 2B 
7. B.J. Upton CF 
8. Chris Johnson 3B
9. Tim Hudson SP

First Pitch Forecast: Partly Cloudy – 90° – 0% PoP

TV: FOX
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT.

Erik Seybold is says his car broke down today.  The excuses are really mounting up… Yell at him on Twitter at @ErikSeyboldPHI