Sunday’s complimentary selection comes from Philadelphia, as I’ll take a shot with the Brewers as an underdog at the Phillies.
Don’t see how Philadelphia can be laying this kind of number. It can’t score runs, and starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick has been a mess lately. Starting with the first point, the Phillies entered last night batting just .210 over their previous 10 contests, and they’ve been held to three runs or less in 11 of their last 16 games.
As for Kendrick, he has a 7.02 ERA in his last three starts, and he’s given up 20 runs (19 earned) in his last five starts covering 26 2/3 innings (6.41 ERA). In those 26 2/3 innings, Kendrick has surrendered 39 hits while notching just eight strikeouts. Translation: He’s not missing any bats.
Brewers lefty Randy Wolf hasn’t been spectacular, but he has been consistent, giving up four earned runs or less in 14 of his last 15 starts – his ERA is 3.36 in those 14 games, with the Brewers going 9-5, including 5-2 on the road. Wolf has also been solid in day games (4-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 11 starts, with Milwaukee going 6-5), while Kendrick has wilted under the sun (1-1 with a 4.97 ERA in five day games, with the Phillies going 1-4).
Yes, Philadelphia has owned the Brewers this season, winning all five meetings. But Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay started for three of those wins. Clearly, Kyle Kendrick isn’t in their company, and the Brewers are overdue for a win in this rivalry. They’ll get it today.