And has anyone noticed that Kyle Kendrick is our best starting pitcher!?!

Thanks to Kendrick, Cliff Lee, and the resurgent power stroke of Utley and Howard the Phils can accomplish a rare feat tonight by sweeping the Giants in San Fran. The last time the they swept the G-men in their home park was back in 2011. The Phillies had a great season that year, but of course the Giants had the last laugh. Sweeping them in the month of May doesn’t mean much, but starting off a west coast trip 3-0 is always a good thing.

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Pettibone (2-0, 3.24 ERA)

Pettibone has been solid in his first three starts. Since filling in for John Lannan, Pettibone has gone 2-0, but more importantly has gotten better with each start. His stuff won’t overpower anybody, but you can see why he’s had so much success making his way through the Phillies system.

He’s only walked two batters in three starts, and has had great command of his pitches. The Giants are in the middle of the pack in getting on base, so as long as he keeps doing what he’s been doing he shouldn’t have much trouble against this lineup. When Pettibone has gotten hit it was the result of leaving his fastball up in the zone. As long as his stuff is down expect another solid outing from the rookie.

Barry Zito (3-1, 3.06 ERA)

Barry Zito’s career arc has seen the highest of highs the lowest of lows. He’s been a Cy Young winner, an overrated bust with an inflated contract, and a World Series winner. Until last season it was perfectly reasonable to call Zito’s career with the Giants a total failure. He signed a 7-year deal for $126 million in 07′, but never had an ERA below 4.00, or won more than 11 games. Last year Zito was finally serviceable, but it seemed a little too late. However, the fates would finally shine on the long haired lefty, as he took a hot 2nd half through to the World Series, where he won Game 1 on the way to a world championship. It’s too late for Zito to fully live up to all those dollars the Giants paid him, but his late career renaissance is happy ending for one of the most likeable players in baseball.

Game Notes:

Pettibone will face the Giants for the first time, as he continues his first tour around the league. Most of the lineup consists of hitters who sit dead-red, so he’ll have to make sure to avoid the middle of the plate with his fastball.

No one has faced Zito more than Michael Young. His numbers aren’t stellar (.235/.286/.318), but he does have Zito in his book. Chase Utley on the other hand has owned Zito in his career. He’s taken him yard, while hitting at a .412 clip. Don’t expect to see Utley cool off tonight.

Charlie will find a way to get John Mayberry Jr. in the lineup tonight. He’s only faced Zito six times, but has taken him deep in three of those at bats! Small sample size or not, Mayberry is definitely looking forward to seeing him on the mount.

February 18, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jonathan Pettibone (68) poses for a picture during photo day at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

They call him the Last of the Baby Aces.

They don’t, but they will.

Years ago, when the Phillies were comprised of 90% aces, the only thing funnier then Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt running roughshod through opponents was how it would go on forever.  The confirmation of such notions could be found just below the surface, in our minor league system, where arms like Trevor May, Julio Rodriguez, and Jonathan Pettibone roamed.

“The Baby Aces” they called them.  It was an absurd amount of pressure, and their “ace” status, if actually there, has yet to be realized.

Since that time, Trevor May was dealt to the Twins for Ben Revere.  Rodriguez was shipped to Baltimore for an outfielder named Ronnie Welty.  Alone stands Pettibone in the triple-A rotation, a baby ace now all alone.

Until today.

Pettibone, now 22 and still right handed, makes the start this evening for the Phillies, with John Lannan ailing on the bench with John Lannan problems.

Jonathan Pettibone-isms:

A guy’s first start is always exciting, whether he was heralded or not.  Remember Vance Worley?  Awesome.  I’ll bet Pettibone has some spectacular quirk like goggles or something, too!

Yeah!

Yeah.

Pettibone will face off against the lovable A.J. Burnett, who looks like a weasel, with the Phillies’ two game win streak hanging in the balance.  But you know what the Phillies always say: If you can’t take the heat….. then let things cool down for a while.

But whatever you’re gonna do, do it before Obama takes your guns away!

Wrong guy dude RT “@mpiel82: Just for the record, no one wants to take your guns. Simple background checks! Stick to baseball, geez.”

— Jonathan Pettibone (@Jon_Pettibone) April 18, 2013

“OK, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it’s called “two in a row”. And if we win again tomorrow, it’s called a “winning streak”… It has happened before!” – Lou Brown (Major League)

 Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Pettibone (0-0, -.– ERA)

Here’s what we know about Pettibone. He’s the first of the heralded group of young Phillies prospects dubbed the “baby aces” to make his debut with the big club. Fellow gang members Jarred Cosart and Trevor May were shipped out, and Brody Colvin has regressed into irrelevancy. Pettibone was not the likely choice to be the first to get his shot, as he was just a third round pick never wowing scouts with any one pitch.

His success is predicated on all of his pitches working together. He throws a serviceable heater, with a good change, and a cutter that was added to his arsenal recently. Like most young pitchers his stuff is ahead of his command, but the kid knows how to pitch rather than just try to throw past hitters. That high IQ will be important tonight as he gets his first real taste against major league hitters. If big Jon can get through what is always an emotionally charged first inning, I expect a solid outing from the young right-hander.

 Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

A.J. Burnett (1-2, 2.63 ERA)

If it seems like A.J. Burnett has been pitching forever it’s because it’s true. Burnett made his debut at age 22, and is still going strong 14 years later. He’s had his ups and downs over his career, but has become a polished veteran in his time in Pittsburgh.

He won’t touch 99-mph anymore, but that hasn’t kept him from leading all of baseball in punch outs with 35. Pitching in the national league seems to suit him best, as he has established himself as the unquestioned ace of this young Pirates squad.

The Phillies have seen a lot of Burnett over the years, including a world series meeting in 2009, but this isn’t the A.J. of old. He no longer leaves up the occasional fatty trying overpower hitters, so the Phils will have to pick their spots carefully. I never thought I’d say this about Burnett, but I already regret passing on him in my fantasy draft.

Game Notes:

No Phillie has faced Burnett more than Jimmy Rollins. J-Roll made his debut just a few years after Burnett, and the two faced off in many a battle between the Phillies and Marlins. Rollins is hitting .249 (12-49) against A.J., but has an OBP of .356 that is above his career average. Now that Jimmy is back in the lead-off spot, he’ll need to continue his on base success against Burnett.

Ryan Howard has what can only be described as a very “Howard-esque” line against Burnett. He has only three career hits off him, but all have left the yard. That’s the definition of all or nothing.

It’s really anyone’s guess how Pettibone will fair in his debut. His 9.64 ERA at Lehigh Valley this year doesn’t bode well, but pitching under the big lights of Citizens Bank Park might be just the thing for him to put it all together.