Gameday: Rockies (51-45) at Phillies (50-46)
Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP (15-1, 2.38 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick, RHP (5-4, 4.82 ERA)
Time: 4:10, Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 96 (Feeling like 102)
TV: CSN, Fox Regional
Twitter: @PhilliesNation
The Phillies will look at add on to their current five game home winning streak against one of the best road pitchers in the league. Acutally Ubaldo Jimenez may just be the best pitcher in all of baseball period. He boasts a 9-1 record in 11 road starts for the Rockies. For those 11 games his ERA is 1.60. However, the Phils may have caught him at the right time.
In his last start against the Marlins, Jimenez lasted only 5 1-3 innings while surrendering a season high-tying six runs. The last time he faced the Phillies was in Game 1 of the NLDS last October going seven innings. He struck out seven and allowed two runs taking the loss as the Phils won 5-1.
The Phillies seem to be picking up momentum with their offense. They have produced 12 hits in back to back games. A nice welcoming gift for Greg Gross who is taking over as the hitting coach after Charlie Manuel fired Milt Thompson.
Some of the Phillies have had success facing Jimenez in the past. Howard, Dobbs, Polanco and Rollins each have two hits against the righty while Victorino has three. Jimenez has only pitched 10 innings against Philadelphia and holds an 8.10 ERA during that time.
The Phillies will counter with Kyle Kendrick who was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley only days after being sent down. He is being asked to fill in for Jamie Moyer on the DL after suffering what could be a career ending injury in his last start. In Kendrick’s last start he allowed a season high three homers in an 8-4 loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday. Against Colorado, Kendrick is 1-1 with a 5.93 ERA in five starts.
Ruben Amaro Jr. and the front office have been frantically looking to add another starting pitcher. Kendrick could ease their minds a bit with a solid start here and prove he belongs at the Major League level. Let’s not hold our breathe quite yet.
LINEUP: Rollins SS, Polanco 3B, Ibanez LF, Howard 1B, Werth CF, Victorino RF, Dobbs C, Schneider 2B, Kendrick P.
Sam Elliot is the voice of Coors Beer. Nuff said.
I am with Pat! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Another Coors, another win for the Phightins.
Go Phillies!
