Phillies, Kendrick hoping to rebound v Mets
The Philadelphia Phillies dropped the second of a four game set against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday night, losing in 11 innings despite a stellar performance from Cole Hamels with Antonio Bastardo getting the loss.
For today’s matinee, the Phils will send Kyle Kendrick to the mound, who has really struggled for consistency this season, apart from arguable being consistently poor. With a 5-11 record and a 4.74 ERA (the worst in the Phillies rotation), Kendrick did throw well in his last start against Houston on Tuesday, going 7 innings giving up 5 hits and just 1 run. In his last 10 starts since July 17th, Kyle is 3-5 with a 5.57 ERA, over 63 innings giving up 68 hits and 39 earned runs.
Zack Wheeler takes the mound for the visiting Mets, rocking a 3.48 ERA and a 7-8 record. He has 7 straight quality starts coming into this game, and in his last outing Wheeler gave up just 1 run against the Nationals in 7 innings despite a turbulent start. Over his last 10, he has posted an impressive 2.64 ERA, going 5-2 over 61.1 innings with a WHIP (walks + hits per inning pitched) of 1.34.
Grady Sizemore starts the game in right field as Marlon Byrd gets a well earned rest. Sizemore is hitting .320 through 25 at-bats in August thus far, but has struggled against the Mets, with 3 hits in 14 Abs and a .214 average.
Wil Nieves starts as catcher for Kendrick in only his 9th start since May 31st, coming in on a 2 game hitless streak but hitting .264 on the year. Nieves is hitting 16 points higher during day games, with a .266 average in comparison to a .250 average during night games. In addition, he’s hitting .300 at home this year, with 9 hits and 4 RBIs through 30 at-bats and 10 games.
The Mets will start Matt den Dekker is left field, who hasn’t played since June 17th at St. Louis. He has struggled to begin his Majors career, hitting .156 on the year so far through 17 games, with just 4 hits in 45 at-bats.
Curtis Granderson, hitting lead-off again, has been a tough out for Philly this year. Through 52 at-bats Granderson has a .269 average but has been walked 10 times, pushing his OBP against the Phillies to .381. He hit a double last night, scoring twice and walking once.
Lineups 8/10:
Phillies
Revere CF, Rollins SS, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Sizemore RF, Brown LF, Nieves C, Asche 3B, Kendrick P
Mets
Granderson RF, Murphy 2B, Wright 3B, Duda 1B, d’Arnaud C, den Dekker LF, Lagares CF, Flores SS, Wheeler P