Gameday: Phillies (95-64) at Braves (90-69)
Philadelphia Phillies (95-64) at Atlanta Braves (90-69)
Kyle Kendrick (10-10, 4.76 ERA) vs. Brandon Beachy (0-1, 2.89 ERA)
Time: 7:35 p.m., Turner Field
Weather: Cloudy, 78
TV: WPHL
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Remember that playoff atmosphere from the last Braves-Phillies series? Well, with the Phils hell-bent on emptying the bench and the best record in the National League locked up, there’s not really a whole lot for La Furia Roja to play for. Of course, you could say that knocking the Braves out of the playoffs would be reward enough, but the Wild Card (to say nothing of the NL West race) will be decided in California this weekend.
For the past two months, the Braves and Padres have been stumbling like two drunks toward the finish line, and it looks like Atlanta has been the less incapacitated of the drunks leading up to this weekend. Any Atlanta win or San Diego loss will guarantee the Braves at least a one-game playoff for the Wild Card.
Kyle Kendrick will make his last-gasp case for a spot on the playoff roster tonight. Kendrick’s two starts in Atlanta this year were arguably his two best–eight innings of four-hit shutout ball on April 20 and seven innings, one earned run, five hits and four strikeouts on June 2. Of course, both of those starts turned out to be one-run losses, but I guess you can’t have everything.
Today’s lineup: Rollins SS, Francisco RF, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Werth CF, Ibanez LF, Dobbs 3B, Ruiz C, Kendrick P
This is the signature beverage from the best Atlanta-based bottler this side of Coca-Cola. Sweetwater 420 is a light, crisp ale. It’s not as hoppy as most IPAs, but while it’s not a particularly serious beverage, it’s from Atlanta and it’s pretty tasty. –by Michael
GO PHILLIES!
