It's usually interesting, for better and for worse, when the Phillies venture to Coors Field. Last July it was the Tarp Game; last October, sadly, it was the end of a magnificent and improbable run to the playoffs, at the hands of an even hotter and more unlikely opponent.
What will it be tonight? Kyle Kendrick hopes for the continuation of his strong work last week (seven innings of two-run ball against Houston), albeit with a better result (he lost). Ryan Howard hopes for a reversal of fortune from the last eight games, in which he's gone 4 for 26 with 10 strikeouts. Unfortunately, neither has great lifetime numbers against the Rockies: Kendrick went 0-1, 7.00 in two regular season starts against them as a rookie, and got hit hard in Game Two of the NLDS, while Howard's career numbers facing Colorado are .254/.329/.433... though that's not actually so bad considering his season line to date (.186/.318/.386). They face the well-traveled lefty Mark Redman, who has a 4-2 lifetime record against the Phils with a 3.96 ERA. As a team, the Rockies have won four of their last five, with the sole loss coming at Houston yesterday.