Kyle Kendrick Set To Open Up Three-Game Set With Division Leading Washington

The Phillies walked off (and out) of a four-game series with the NL Central leading Reds with a split. They salvaged a series loss last night as John Mayberry Jr. delivered a walkoff single to win it in 11 innings. Coming out of a set with one of the NL's best teams and being able to split it is pretty good for the Phils, who still mathematically, have a shot to take a Wild Card spot. At 58-67, the Phillies are in third place in the NL East and sit 10 1/2 games back in the Wild Card standings with 37 games left to play this season. Tonight, the Phils will open up a crucial three-game set with division rival Washington. Kyle Kendrick (6-9, 4.20 ERA) will take on Edwin Jackson (7-8, 3.69 ERA) in game one of this three-game set. 

Kyle Kendrick is coming off of his best performance of the season. On Sunday, against Milwaukee, Kendrick tossed eight shutout frames while allowing just three hits and a walk. Kendrick raked in seven Ks to win his sixth game of the year. Kyle Kendrick has been a rollercoaster pitcher all year. He either gets shelled in the early innings of the game, starts strong and then falls into trouble and can't get out, or he's excellent all night. Kendrick is riding a 15 scoreless inning streak and is 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA over his last three starts. Kendrick has made two starts against the Nationals this season and has been strong in each of them, despite an 0-1 record in those starts. Kendrick is 2-4 with a 4.93 ERA against the Nats.

Opposing will be Edwin Jackson, who is coming off of a tough-luck loss against the Mets. Jackson was strong throughout most of the game. The only trouble he ran into wound up to cost him. In the seventh inning, he allowed a two-run home run to Ike Davis. It's all the Mets would need as they won 2-0. Jackson allowed two runs on two hits while walking one and striking out 11. Jackson is looking to rebound from this losing effort as he takes on the Phillies. Jackson has started two games against the Phillies in 2012, losing both of them. In his career Jackson is winless with an 0-3 record and a 5.60 ERA against the Phils.

Catcher Brian Schneider has been placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring. Schneider, who just came off the DL on July 31, will be replaced on the roster spot by AA catcher Steven Lerud. Lerud has never played in the big leagues before. Erik Kratz is expected to get most of the playing time until Carlos Ruiz (foot) returns.

Tonight's lineup vs Nationals:

1. Rollins SS
2. Frandsen 3B
3. Utley 2B
4. Howard 1B
5. Brown RF
6. Mayberry CF
7. Nix LF
8. Kratz C
9. Kendrick P.
   

TV: CSN ; Radio: 1210 WPHT , 98.1 WOGL

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.