Kyle Kendrick makes his 2014 debut in the Phillies series finale against the Texas Rangers. (Photo by Kevin Durso/Philliedelphia)
The Phillies chance to claim an early series vanished at the hands of the bullpen on Tuesday night. Wednesday night's game becomes the swing game.
The Phillies (1-1) may have a bitter taste of defeat in their mouths after a tough 3-2 walk-off loss to the Texas Rangers (1-1). The Phillies third game of 2014 will determine a series winner. First pitch is set for 8:05 from Globe Life Park.
Kyle Kendrick (10-13, 4.70 ERA in 2013) gets the start for the Phillies. Kendrick lost his five of his last seven starts in 2013, going 0-5 with a 5.97 ERA. Kendrick was 1-0 with a 2.81 ERA in four spring training starts. Kendrick is making his first start against the Texas Rangers and at Globe Life Park.
The Phillies will face left-hander Robbie Ross Jr. (4-2, 3.03 ERA in 2013). Ross is making his first career major-league start in Wednesday's finale. He served as a reliever for the Rangers for parts of 2012 and 2013. This is also his first appearance against the Phillies. In his career at Globe Life Park, Ross is 3-2 with a 2.60 ERA.
Game notes, lineups and more are available after the jump.
Game Notes:
- Ben Revere, Marlon Byrd and Jayson Nix are the only Phillies with at-bats against Robbie Ross. Revere has faced Ross the most, going 1-for-3 with a double.
- Prince Fielder is 3-for-5 in his career against Kyle Kendrick with a home run and five RBI.
- Kyle Kendrick's only start against an AL West team was against the Oakland Athletics on June 25, 2008. Kendrick pitched eight shutout innings in a win.
- Milestone Watch: Chase Utley needs one double for 300 in his career.
Phillies lineup
- Ben Revere CF
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard DH
- Marlon Byrd RF
- Domonic Brown LF
- John Mayberry Jr. 1B
- Cody Asche 3B
- Jayson Nix SS
Kyle Kendrick will start tonight's game.
Rangers lineup
- Shin-Soo Choo LF
- Elvis Andrus SS
- Prince Fielder 1B
- Adrian Beltre 3B
- Alex Rios RF
- Mitch Moreland DH
- J.P. Arencibia C
- Leonys Martin CF
- Josh Wilson 2B
Robbie Ross Jr. will start tonight's game.
TV: TCN
Radio: 94 WIP/1210 WPHT
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Philliedelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
