The Phillies (47-60) and Mets (51-56) conclude their series with a 12:10 matinee this afternoon. The two teams have split the first two games, with both contests seeing each team victorious by six runs. On Monday, AJ Burnett struggled in a 7-1 loss. Last night, Cole Hamels was stellar yet again and actually got run support thanks to homers off the bats of Jimmy Rollins, Grady Sizemore and Chase Utley, who smacked a towering grand slam to right field, blowing the game open. The Phils won 6-0 and will look for similar offensive results today behind a starting pitcher who still cannot get past his first inning woes.
Yes, I am talking of course about Kyle Kendrick (5-10, 4.87). We all know that Kendrick isn't an ace…he never will be and I don't think he ever had that potential. What we also know is that Kendrick excels most when he pitches down in the zone, like most pitchers, and uses his sinker and two-seamer to induce ground balls. In his most recent starts, he has had trouble keeping it down, resulting in really rough outings. Kendrick has given up five or more runs in three of his last four starts. He gave up seven against Milwaukee in a 9-7 Phillies win, five against the Nationals in a 5-3 Phils loss and six in an 8-2 loss against the Braves. His most recent start was more tame, throwing 5.2 innings, giving up three runs in a 9-5 win over the D'Backs. Kendrick hasn't pitched more than 5.2 innings and owns an 8.59 ERA over his last four starts. Kyle has faced the Mets twice this season, giving up four runs in each start against them.
On the hill for the Mets is right-hander Zack Wheeler (5-8, 3.64). Over his last five starts, he has posted a 1.41 ERA while limiting hitters to a .217 average against. Wheeler faced the Phillies back on May 29th in Philadelphia and got the win after tossing 6.1 innings of one-run ball, striking out nine. His most recent outing came against the Brewers in a 3-2 win. He pitched 6.2 innings, gave up just one earned run and struck out nine. There is no doubting that the Mets have the pitching edge in this one, especially with the recent stretch of strong starts for Wheeler.
Game Notes:
- After sitting out last night's game, Marlon Byrd returns to the lineup, hitting fifth. Dom Brown, Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz all get today's matinee off.
- Cody Asche is 2-for-3 against Wheeler with a triple and two RBI's. Chase Utley is just 1-for-8 against the Mets starter.
- Mets third baseman, David Wright, has hit Kendrick well in 47 at-bats against him, posting a .319 average with three doubles, three homers and seven RBI's. He has also struckout eight times against Kendrick. Lucas Duda has three doubles and a homer in his career against Kyle.
- After his start last night, multiple reports surfaced that the Phillies have received no offers for Cole Hamels. Phillies.com beat writer, Todd Zolecki doesn't expect him to be traded.
- After sitting for three days, Ryan Howard is 3-for-16 with a homer, RBI and two runs scored. He is hitting just .163 this month with a horrendous .280 OBP and .250 SLG. This season, Howard has a .222 average, 12 points lower than last month, with 16 homers and 62 RBI's. He has struck out 123 times.
Phillies Lineup
- Ben Revere CF
- Grady Sizemore LF
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Marlon Byrd RF
- Cody Asche 3B
- Wil Nieves C
- Andres Blanco SS
- Kyle Kendrick P
Mets Lineup
- Curtis Granderson RF
- Daniel Murphy 2B
- Lucas Duda 1B
- Travis d'Arnaud C
- Chris Young LF
- Chris Young LF
- Juan Lagares CF
- Ruben Tejada SS
- Zack Wheeler P
Location: Citi Field, New York, New York
Weather: 76° F – Clear – 0% PoP
Game Time: 12:10 PM Eastern
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
