Gameday: Phillies (53-68) vs Dodgers (71-50)
Philadelphia Phillies (53-67) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (70-50)
Kyle Kendrick (10-9, 4.48 ERA) vs Clayton Kershaw (11-7, 1.88 ERA)
Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Weather: 88, sunny
The Phillies will get their second crack at earning their first win under Ryne Sandberg on Saturday when they take on the Dodgers in the middle game of their three-game set. After losing last night, the Phillies have now lost three straight and sit at 15 games under .500.
A struggling Kyle Kendrick, amid his worst stretch of the year, will toe the rubber for the Phillies. In his last three starts Kendrick has gone just 12 1/3 innings, and has allowed at least five runs in each start, swelling his ERA from 3.96 to 4.48 over that stretch.
The Phillies right-hander faced the Dodgers back in June, suffering a loss after allowing four runs on ten hits in six innings of work out at Dodger Stadium.
The Phillies will be facing perhaps the toughest pitcher they will face all year-Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw. The Dodger southpaw is vying with Roger Clemens to hold the lowest ERA in the National League since Greg Maddux posted a 1.63 in 1995. Kershaw is coming off a stretch in which has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight outings.
However, Kershaw has seen his fair share of the Phillies and has never had much success against them. In eight career starts, he is 0-4 with a 4.31 ERA. That is his highest ERA against any team in the National League over his career, and the highest against any team in baseball that he has had more than two games against. At Citizen’s Bank Park he has been even worse, posting a lofty 5.96.
Carlos Ruiz has easily had the most success against Kershaw in his career, hitting at a .429 clip with a homer and five RBI against him. Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley have also homered off the lefty, but have posted .207 and .238 averages against him, respectively.
Lineup: Rollins SS, Frandsen 2B, M. Young 3B, Brown LF, Ruf RF, Wells CF, Mayberry 1B, Kratz C, Kendrick P
Gameday Beer: Otter Creek Copper Ale
This medium bodied beer is a very versatile and refreshing brew that goes well with all types of ballpark food, especially stuff off the grill. It’s got a sweet, toasty, crisp taste that is perfect for either a chilly night or hot summer day watching the game. With a day game today fire up the grill and kick back with one of these and you’ll be set.
