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Let's see if the Phillies can pull out a win today and somehow salvage this series. They're in a bit of a skid right now. Getting swept would be, well, demoralizing.
So let's all root for that to not happen!
Of course, I'm about to type the phrase, "the Phillies will turn to Kyle Kendrick to stop the bleeding," which is not a sentence anyone ever should have to type. Yet, here we are, hopeful that Kendrick, and his 1-5 record and 4.21 ERA, can put an end to a five-game losing streak. Kendrick got a no-decision in last Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Mets in which he went six innings and gave up four runs on eight hits.
He'll be opposed by Doug Fister, who will make his sixth start of the season. He's 3-1 so far with a 3.34 ERA and allowed two runs in six innings last Saturday while striking out six.
Offensively, Carlos Ruiz and Marlon Byrd get a day off today, which puts John Mayberry in the 5-hole. Mayberry is having a good year off the bench hitting mostly against lefties, but he'll face a right-hander today, which as we all know John does as well as a cat does at barking.
In fact, it will be interesting to see if, for the first time in Major League history, the Phillies put up negative-runs today. If any team can do it, I like this particular lineup's shot at making it happen.