The Phillies look for the series win tonight against the Yankees. A win tonight wouldn't end the dreadful slump the Phillies have been experiencing, but it sure would help. We've all seen a thousand different ways to measure the horrible stretch the Phillies are in right now, but here's another. In the first 12 series of the season, the Phillies went 8-3-1. In the next 9 series, the Phillies have gone 1-4-4.
Winning tonight is an uphill battle. The Phillies send Kyle Kendrick to the mound. Kendrick has had a true Jekyll and Hyde season so far. In five of his starts, he's been phenomenal, posting a 0.75 ERA in 36 innings. However, in his other seven starts, he's been absolutely atrocious, posting a 9.76 ERA in 31.3 innings. It's not hard to figure out which Kyle Kendrick needs to show up tonight against the Yankees.
Facing the Phillies will be Andy Pettitte. Pettitte's in the middle of one of his best years ever, with a 166 ERA+ (bested only by his 2005 mark of 177). And that's after beating the Phillies twice in the World Series last year, including being credited with the win in Game 6. The Phillies lineup hopes that last night's offensive performance is a signal of the start of the end of this month-long hitting slump. Against a pitcher like Pettitte, this will be a tall order.
As my 4-year-old would say, "Boo Yankees, Yay Phillies!" Discuss below.
Current Series
3 game series vs Yankees @ Yankee Stadium
| Tue 06/15 | 3 - 8 loss | |
| Wed 06/16 | WP: Jamie Moyer (7 - 6) LP: A.J. Burnett (6 - 5) | 6 - 3 win |
Philadelphia Phillies Thursday, Jun 17, 2010, 7:05 PM EDT Kyle Kendrick vs Andy Pettitte Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-20 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80. Complete Coverage > | ||
