Join Me in L.A. - Game Thread 8/11/08

by WholeCamels on Aug 11, 2008 10:00 PM EDT

Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers, Aug 11, 2008 10:10 PM EDT

The Phillies take on the newly-Mannyfied Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time in 2008 as they start a week-long west coast trip that takes them to L.A. for four games, followed by three in San Diego.

The Phillies send grizzled sophomore Kyle Kendrick to the mound against sinkerballer Derek Lowe.

If anyone's looking forward to this road trip, it might just be former UCLA Bruin Chase Utley, who brings a career .997 OPS vs. L.A. into the series, and a gaudy 1.084 OPS vs. San Diego.

All eyes will be on hitting savant and Predator look-alike Manny Ramirez, who has been nothing short of monstrous since starting play in the Senior Circuit: Four homers, nine RBI in eight games. It's probably for the best that Jamie Moyer misses this series; Manny's career OPS against the ancient former Mariner is 1.379, his best against any pitcher (min. 40 plate appearances).

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Hopefully that double gets Chase’s confidence up.

Of course, as I type, Howard rolls over on that pitch – stranding Utley

by Cluttered_JML on Aug 11, 2008 10:18 PM EDT reply actions

Great pitch by Kendrick jamming Ramirez

0-0 End 1

by Cluttered_JML on Aug 11, 2008 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

How many innings will it take us to score, that is the question of the night.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 11, 2008 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

4….second time around it will be the time. Although watching how favorably Lowe is getting the corners, it could be a long night.

by Cluttered_JML on Aug 11, 2008 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions

ha, I am gonna hold you to that! If they haven’t scored after 4, you are taking the blame, not the offense! ; )

by FuquaManuel on Aug 11, 2008 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Be my guest, but like I said, if Lowe keeps getting BS corner calls, all bets are off!

by Cluttered_JML on Aug 11, 2008 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

That 2-0 pitch to Rollins was complete and utter crap. And then the bad luck to have the carom go right to the SS. Ugh. Long night. Blame me, FM!!

by Cluttered_JML on Aug 11, 2008 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

Just the situation I want to see Manny in, bases loaded, 1 out.

Settle down Kendrick.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 11, 2008 11:03 PM EDT reply actions

Yup, Manny hurts em. Kendrick doesn’t seem to have it this inning. Tough when you are a ground ball pitcher with only moderate control and no out pitch. Still amazed that Kendrick’s numbers have been as good as they are.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 11, 2008 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

4-0

by Cluttered_JML on Aug 11, 2008 11:08 PM EDT reply actions

I think tonight won’t be that night.

by Cluttered_JML on Aug 11, 2008 11:08 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, Kendrick is just having one of those nights where he can’t get anyone out. I would consider lifting him while the game is still somewhat winnable.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 11, 2008 11:12 PM EDT reply actions