Phils win 20-2, because of Kyle Kendrick

20-2. Yea yea, the Phillies scored 20 runs for the second time this season, the first time they’ve done that since 1900. But the bigger story is Kyle Kendrick. Everyone knows the Phillies are going to score runs – they’re 1 run behind the Cubs for the season (Cubs have 374 in 68 games, Phillies 373 in 69 games). They’re going to overtake Chicago in that category, it’s only a matter of time.

So get over the back to back to back homers from Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Pat Burrell. Get over the 9 run 4th inning and Ryan Howard‘s second homer. The real story of this game is Kyle Kendrick, who went 7 innings and allowed only 1 earned run, a Skip Schumaker homer.

The game marked Kendrick’s one year anniversary with the Phils since being called up from AA Reading on June 12 of last year. In that span Kendrick has gone 16-6 over 34 games. By winning pct, he has been great at .727. By ERA, not spectacular at 4.13. Nor by WHIP, a so-so 1.35. Nonetheless, Kendrick eats innings and has the best run support in the league since coming up a year ago. Kendrick averages almost 6 innings per start and the team averages a whopping 8.14 runs per 9 innings when he’s on the mound. Wow?

Kendrick is no Cole Hamels (who, by the way, has weak run support at 5.25 per 9 innings). But Hamels is is an ace. Kendrick is a back of the rotation starter, with a knack for for being in the right place at the right time. He struggled early this season, but the Phillies are 10-1 in his last 11 starts, and 11-3 in all of his starts this season.

For some, unexplained reason, the Phillies produce for the 23 year old. Perhaps the reason is that Kendrick isn’t Cole Hamels. And, maybe that explains Hamels’ poor run support too – because he is who he is.

Kyle Kendrick, a role player, does exactly what is asked of him. This Phillies offense will carry just about anyone who gives them a chance to win (except Cole Hamels), and that’s exactly what Kyle Kendrick does. The best part of it all? Kendrick is still young, a year younger than Hamels (24).

Last season Kyle Kendrick helped lead the Phillies to the playoffs, doing exactly what was asked of him. 14 starts into this season, Kendrick is doing exactly the same thing.

-Greg Berlin

*Ahhhhhhhhh* – Phils take out frustration on Astros

Yes, I did think the Phillies would win today. No, I didn’t think Cole Hamels‘ start would yield a 15-6 shellacking. But, after bombs from Geoff Jenkins, Pat Burrell, and Chase Utley, that is exactly what happened. Hamels was off his game today. I’d like to blame the umps delay in the middle of Carlos Lee‘s soon to be three-run jack at bat, but that would be a little too homerish. Hamels simply didn’t pitch well. He seemed constantly behind batters, had a high pitch count early, and his ball to strike ratio was poor compared to usual (85-49 PC-ST). 6 earned runs in 4 innings. Unexpected after a scoreless streak of 19 straight innings. I’m not worried, however. These games happen to the best of them.

Not strong on the mound, Hamels was 2 for 2 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI. Go figure. Well, actually, Hamels is hitting .345 on the season (damn!). Hamels RBI hit came in the 4th, making it 5-4 Astros. Michael Bourn added one in the bottom half of the inning, and the game remained extremely frustrating through the 5th.

Come the top of the 6th, the Phils ripped off the chains of frustration that have held them back the last 2 games. 5 runs in the 6th and then 6 in the 7th. Final score, 15-6. In short, did not see that coming.

A couple points of intrigue concerning Charlie Manuel: 1) WHY OH WHY is Carlos Ruiz bunting up 4 runs? Ruiz stuck out on a foul bunt. 2) WHY OH WHY is “Slow” Taguchi pinch running for Pat Burrell? Charlie has got to stop with this. It was the 7th innning and the Phils only had a 2 run lead at that point. I don’t get it. Taguchi ended up waltzing home. Certainly Burrell could’ve done the same. Oh, Cholly.

I’m back to DC tomorrow. Phils are off to Colorado to try to finally win a game against the Rockies, six 7 months late.

By the way, I am not going to miss the Astros. They are an extremely pesky team. Also, that stupid train is only cool until it’s tooting after a Carlos Lee home run.

-Greg Berlin

Houston telegram

The Beast lives, in Houston.

An interesting place down here – perhaps more interesting if the Phils were able to pull off the win last night. Luckily, the Beast was not in attendance just yet. That’s for tonight and tomorrow, my second consecutive Brett Myers and Cole Hamels starts. Perhaps this time it will be 2 for 2. Taking 3/4 from the Astros would make for a rather successful trip to the Lone Star state.

Off to the pool.

Chase Utley is already at the park.

-Greg Berlin

Beast goes to Houston

I’ll be in Houston this weekend watching the Phils take on the Astros.  I get to see Brett Myers take on Brian Moehler Saturday night and Cole Hamels take on Chris Sampson on Sunday afternoon.  I’ll be updating throughout the weekend and I’ll be sure to post pics of the Phils in Texas.

As for tonight:  Kyle Kendrick takes on Roy Oswalt in the first of a four game set.  Kendrick is coming off a virtual non-start in the rain-delayed game against the Blue Jays on Sunday.  Kendrick ended up only pitching 1 inning because of the break in action.  In his start before, however, he went 6 innings, allowing only 3 run.  The Phillies have won six of nine starts with Kendrick on the mound.

Who knows what we’ll see from the Phillies bats this weekend.  All I know is that Lance Berkman scares th *&^% out of me.

-Greg Berlin

Postgame: Phillies 1 – Nats 0 [BEAST-OFF]

NL Beast bloggers attended the game tonight, and what a great game it was. It didn’t have a ton of lead changes or great plays in the field; it was just a good old fashion pitchers’ duel.

Jason Bergmann pitched excellently. 7 innings, 5 hits, 5 strikeouts and 3 walks. The Phillies lineup couldn’t get to him and they remained cold after last night’s shutout. Bergmann has gone 7 innings and let up no runs in both of his last two starts. In his last game start ago against the Mets he picked up a win in a 1-0 decision. Tonight, he would not be able to secure the W.

Cole Hamels owned the night. 7 inings, 4 hits, 2 walks, and 11 strikeouts. Few times throughout the night did Hamels look shaky. When he did get in a jam, he calmly pitched his way out. There’s little else to say except that he now has 19 straight scoreless innings. His ERA is down to 2.69 and his WHIP is now at 1.02. He didn’t pick up the win, but he is coming into his own after a somewhat slow start. No longer does he have the one or two tough innings early in the game. Right now for Hamels, it’s lights out from the start. The only question is whether he’ll go 7, 8, or 9 innings.

After Tom Gordon got the job done for Phils in the bottom of the 8th, John Rauch came in for the Nats to try to keep the game scoreless. Pedro Feliz led off with a double, and then was pinch-ran for by Eric Bruntlett. Why, I ask? Is Bruntlett that much faster than Feliz? Feliz certainly is better in the field. Carlos Ruiz laid down a fabulous sacrifice to move Bruntlett to third and Greg Dobbs followed with the lone RBI of the night, a single to center. Dobbs was thrown out on the next play when Shane Victorino flied out to center. From where we were sitting Dobbs looked clearly safe, but it was a good relay and Charlie Manuel, standing right there, did not argue the call.

One run is all the Phillies would need. Despite a good effort by the Nats in the 9th, they could not get past Brad Lidge. A great pitching outing for both teams. Unfortunately both Bergmann and Hamels did not receive a win. They both deserved one.

-Greg Berlin

Pregame: Nationals vs. Phillies [BEAST-OFF]

The Game: Washington Nationals (20-26) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (24-22)

The Matchup: Jason Bergmann (1-1, 7.45, 21/4 K/BB, 1.40 WHIP) vs. Cole Hamels (5-3, 2.89, 54/19 K/BB, 1.04 WHIP)

The Story: The Phillies looking to break a three game losing streak, while the Nats look to create one of their own.  Unfortunately for the Nats, they’ll be facing Phillies stud lefty Cole Hamels. Hamels is coming off his best game of the year, a complete game shutout at home against the Braves.  For the Nationals, Jason Bergmann will try to notch his second win in a row since being recalled from the minors.

The Phillies have fallen to 4th place in the division after going 4-7 in their last 11.  The Nationals remain in last.

Stat of the Day: The Nationals are 11-11 at home, the Phillies are 11-11 on the road.  Both teams have played 46 games this season, 5 more than the Mets at the start of the day, and 4 more then the Mets after their loss to the Braves earlier today.  The Braves have now played 44 games, and the Marlins 43.

-Greg Berlin

Phillies Beast (and least) of the Week

Beast: I was torn, but decided to go with Jayson Werth over Ryan Howard. A three homer game can’t be looked over. Not too mention a total of 12 RBIs on the week. Not too shabby.

Runners Up: Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Chris Coste

Least: We’ll count last night, just because. It’s Brett Myers. A 8 run, 6 earned outing followed by last night’s lackluster 3 ER performance. This is a really a Least award building over the season. We get it Brett, you don’t want to be a starter. But for now, you have to find a way to contribute to this team every fifth day.

Runners Down: So Taguchi, Ryan Madson

-Greg Berlin

Postgame: Phillies 5 – Braves 0 [BEAST-OFF]

Cole Hamels is a monster.  9 innings, 4 hits, 6 strikeouts, 3 walks, no runs.  He had 120 pitches, with 85 of them being strikes.  This was Hamels’ fifth win of the season, and his first career complete game shutout.  Finally, Hamels pitches a game this season without having that one tough inning, especially early.

Hamels got run support too, which can sometimes be tough for him as the team seems to relax when he’s on the mound.  Pedro Feliz, Ryan Howard, and Shane Victorino all homered.  Howard is back.  There, I’ve said it.  I almost think he likes having to prove everybody wrong year after year.  All the homers came off of Braves pitcher Chuck James.  Pedro Feliz added another RBI in the third, scoring Pat Burrell on a single to left.

In a way, this was a statement win for the Phils.  Hamels went the distance, dominating batters throughout;  Ryan Howard continued his mini-hot streak; and the team took two of three from a division rival.  That can never be underestimated.  And on the same day, the Mets lost a tough 1-0 game to the Nats, losing three of four to Leasts of the East.  The Mets are reeling.  Now if only the Marlins would start to mail it in….

Phillies Pregame – 5/10, 4:05 pm EDT

The Game: San Francisco Giants (14-22) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (21-16)

The Matchup: Tim Lincecum (4-1, 1.49, 45/17 K/BB, 1.37 WHIP) vs. Jamie Moyer (2-2, 4.45, 17/10 K/BB, 1.59 WHIP)

The Story: Old versus new again for Jamie Moyer. The 45 year-old faces off against Tim Lincecum, only 23. Never mind the fact that Moyer is almost twice the age of his opponent, he’s pitched phenomenally against his expectations this year. Moyer is coming off his best start of the season: 7 innings, 5 strike outs, no walks, and only 2 earned runs. And he did that against the Diamondbacks, one of the hottest lineups in the league. The Giants have lost the last two Lincecum starts, after winning his first five outings. He outpitched Cole Hamels last week in Philadelphia, but the Giants pen was not able to hold it together.

Jimmy Rollins leads the way for the Phils. With three RBIs and three hits last night in his first game back from the DL, the Phillies hope his spark is contagious. Pat Burrell is hitting only .158 in the last week, and Chase Utley is not doing much better at .200. Yet, with good starting pitching and great relief, the Phillies are finding a way to win games. That’s certainly a mark of a winner. When you’re hot, everything just seems to go your way.

But it’s not all by chance that the Phils are winning despite the anemic performance of their stars. While Utley and Burrell struggle, Carlos Ruiz is hitting .350, Pedro Feliz is hitting .400, and Eric Bruntlett is hitting .308. Everyone on this team is contributing (sans Ryan Howard).

Stat of the Day: Pat Burrell’s BB/K ratio is 1.03 (30/29). That’s the best on the team, but good enough for only 17th in the NL. Albert Pujols leads the category with a ratio of 2.92 (35/12).

Lineups:
Phillies
Rollins (SS)
Victorino (CF)
Utley (2B)
Howard (1B)
Burrell (LF)
Jenkins (RF)
Feliz (3B)
Ruiz (C)
Moyer (P)

Giants
Lewis (LF)
Vizquel (SS)
Winn (RF)
Molina (C)
Rowand (CF)
Castillo (3B)
Burriss (SS)
Ortmeier (1B)
Lincecum (P)

Postgame: Phillies 7 – Giants 4

Jimmy Rollins is back. The reigning MVP was 3 for 5, with 3 RBIs and a home run in the 5th that brought the Phillies back into the game. His spark was clearly palpable at the top of the lineup and, although only judging from one game, he seems to be taking pressure off from th rest of the players. After his big homer, Jimmy goes into the dugout and talks to Ryan Howard about how he hit the ball. That’s the kind of stuff you miss from him. He’s an excellent player, but he’s also the leader of this team.

Cole Hamels went seven innings and did not record a decision. His start turned out to be okay, allowing 4 earned runs, striking out 7 and walking 3. While he didn’t have his best stuff, he kept the Phillies in the game. Hamels has got to kick this habit of giving up early inning runs. He seems to settle down after a few innings in every game. His best stuff is usually in the 4th to 7th innings. Perhaps a change of warm up routine is necessary?

Overall, a very good win for the Phightins. Jimmy Rollins is the obvious player of the game. Let’s hope that spark continues to carry the team.

———

Oh, by the way, the Phils game will not be broadcasted today due to Fox’s ridiculous broadcasting rules. The 4:15 pm game is blacked out because Fox has the broadcast rights to all games that don’t start before 7 pm on Saturdays. Time to hit up the radio.

Phillies Pregame – 5/9 10:15 EDT

The Game: San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The Matchup: Patrick Misch (0-0, 5.40, 8/3 K/BB, 1.30 WHIP) vs. Cole Hamels (3-3, 3.10, 41/14 K/BB, 1.07 WHIP)

The Story: The Phillies look to get back to their winning ways in San Francisco after splitting a four game set in Arizona. The series starts off with stud Cole Hamels, looking for his fourth win of the season, facing off against Patrick Misch, who is appearing in only his third game this season.  In one previous start a week ago, also against the Phillies, Misch lasted only four innnings, allowing 5 hits, 4 earned runs, 2 walks, 2 home runs, and struck out 4.  Misch has let up 4 home runs on the season in only 10 IP.

The big news of the is Jimmy Rollins back with the team for the first time since April 20.  Rollins is listed as the lead off man in tonight’s lineup, and no one is trying to hide the Phils’ sigh of relief that their MVP is back.  The offense hasn’t stalled, but it has certainly cooled off in the last week.  Rollins’ speed, coupled with that of Shane Victorino, who is also just back from injury, are essential to the functioning of the lineup.  In addition, it sends utility man Eric Bruntlett back to the bench.  Bruntlett is hitting .303 in the month of May and will add depth to an already strong bench.  Australian infielder Brad Harman has been sent back to Lehigh Valley to make room for Rollins.

Stat of the Day: Former Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand is hitting .336 in his first season with San Francisco.

Lineups:
Phillies
Rollins (SS)
Victorino (CF)
Utley (2B)
Howard (1B)
Burrell (LF)
Werth (CF)
Feliz (3B)
Ruiz (C)
Hamels (P)

Giants
Lewis (LF)
Castillo (3B)
Winn (RF)
Molina (C)
Rowand (CF)
Aurilia (1B)
Velez (2B)
Burriss (SS)
Misch (P)

How about them standings

Great week for the division. The NL East is hot; only the Marlins came in at under .500 for the past 10 games. The last-place Nationals are just 4 games out, and are 8-2 in their last 10. The Phillies may still lead the division, but the Mets and Marlins are just a half a game out.

Some of the league’s finest talent plays in the division, and this cream of the crop is setting the pace in 2008. Chipper Jones leads the league in Batting Average with a whopping .421 so far. Chase Utley leads in home runs, with 13; Pat Burrell is tied for second with 9. Burrell is also second for RBIs, with 28. Utley and Jones lead the league in OPS, with 1.193 and 1.189 respectively. Marlins starter Mark Hendrickson is second in the league for wins, with 5 so far. Of the pitchers with WHIPs in the top 10, 4 are in the NL East: Johan Santana, Tim Hudson, Jair Jurjjens, and Cole Hamels. Billy Wagner leads the league in Batting Average Against (.070). And Wagner, Brad Lidge, and Jon Rauch are tied for fifth in the league for saves, notching 7 to this point.

As expected, the division is shaping up to be extremely competative down the stretch. Look for the Marlins to cool off as their young pitching exhausts itself, and for the Braves to heat up as key players such as John Smoltz and Mike Hampton return. The Mets have nowhere to go but up, the Phillies continue to be led by career years by both Chase Utley and Pat Burrell, and even the Nationals are playing good baseball at present.

Here are the standings through Monday May 5:

Philadelphia: 18-14

New York: 16-13, 0.5 GB

Florida: 17-14, 0.5 GB

Atlanta: 15-15, 2 GB

Washington: 14-18, 4 GB

-Jonathan Kraft

Sunday Division Roundup

Mets 5-Diamondbacks 2

One of the better pitching matchups of the year as Johan Santana squared off against Dan Haren in a pitchers’ dual that exploded in the 9th for the Mets. Santana was his classic self, going 6 full innings striking out 8 and walking 4, giving up just 1 earned run. Haren was almost as good, going 6 full giving up 2 runs on 2 hits (one a homer to David Wright in the 4th), striking out 7 and walking 1.

Jorge Sosa picked up the win for the Mets (he’s 4-1, unbelievably) and Billy Wagner notched his seventh save of the season after Arizona 1B Connor Jackson made a crucial throwing error in the top of the 9th that started a 3-run rally for the Mets. Bringing in runs for the Mets were Jose Reyes, Wright, and Marlon Anderson. Chad Qualls took the loss for Arizona. What a statement for the Mets, as they take the series off of the NL-leading D-Backs.

Phillies 6-Giants 5.

Charlie Manuel got his 500th win as the Phils took the game on a San Francisco error in the bottom of the ninth that brought in the winning run. Carlos Ruiz tied the game up in the 8th, allowing Brad Lidge to pick up his first win of the year. Cole Hamels allowed 4 runs on 7 hits through 6 innings, but he did have 5 strikeouts and no walks. Young Giants starter Tim Lincecum was better, surrendering no earned runs in 6 innings of work, striking out 5 and walking 2. But it was errors that would prove costly to the struggling Giants, who drop to 14-18. The Phillies remain a half-game up on New York and Florida.

Marlins 10-Padres 3

The big bats came to play today as Dan Uggla hit an RBI double and a home run to keep the Marlins tied with the Mets for second place in the division. Hanley Ramirez was 2-4 and scored 2 runs, and Matt Treanor was 2-4 with 2 RBIs. Young southpaw Andrew Miller finally pitched well for the Fish, getting his 2nd win and allowing 2 runs on 6 innings of work, striking out 4 and walking 2. Greg Maddux dropped to 2-3, allowing 11 hits for 5 runs, 4 earned, for 5.2 innings of work.

Braves 14-Reds 7

The Braves had 19 hits on the day, outhitting the Reds almost 2:1 and surviving a rocky outing by Tom Glavine. Chipper Jones contributed his fair share with a 3-run home run and a 2-run single. Also coming through big for the Braves were Mark Kotsay who homered and had 3 RBIs and Kelly Johnson, who was 4-6 with 2 RBIs. Glavine lasted just 4.2, surrendering 6 earned runs on 7 hits, striking out 3 and walking 5. Royce Ring picked up his first win of the season for Atlanta. As bad as Glavine was, Reds starter Bronson Arroyo was far worse, pitching just an inning and a third, giving up 7 earned runs. Josh Fogg came in for mop-up duty and didn’t pitch much better, giving up 5 earned runs on 6 hits in 2.2 innings.

Nationals 5-Pirates 2

Tim Redding continued his dominant streak, picking up his 4th win and allowing just 1 earned run on 6 innings of work, striking out 5 and walking 1. He was opposed by Pirates ace Ian Snell, who dropped to 2-2 after allowing 4 earned runs on 10 hits with 2 strikeouts and a walk. Aaron Boone hit his first home run as a National, filling in at third for the day as Ryan Zimmerman ended his Major League leading 205 consecutive game streak. Also driving in runs for the Nats were Nick Johnson, Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez, and Wily Mo Peña. The Nats are red-hot, having gone 8-3 on the last homestand.

-Jonathan Kraft

Phillies Beast (and Least) of the Week

Beast: Tom Gordon

What a season for Tom Gordon. After letting up 5 runs on opening day, Gordon has let up only 2 since. This week Gordon lived up to numbers he’s been putting up.

Tuesday, Gordon came in replacing JC Romero, who walked one batter to load the bases after relieving Cole Hamels. Gordon pitched two ground balls outs, letting up 1 run, but getting out of a very tough spot to finish up the inning securing the Phils’ 3-2 lead. This performance was a microcosm of Gordon’s season. He’s been put in tough spots all year and he continues to thrive. His performance has been essential to the Phillies.

On Thursday, Gordon pitched 1-2-3 8th inning against the Padres, and on Friday he got out of a tough spot against the Giants. Gordon’s 8th inning role is perfect for him. He’s a former closer with a rediscovered curve ball and the experience of playing on a contender. Flash is back. Let’s hope it continues.

Runners Up: Pat Burrell (PTB), Chase Utley (NL Player of the Month)

Least: Ryan Madson

Ryan Madson has struggled all season long and it’s looking more and more like he’ll never regain the form of his initial foray into the league. Despite his new beefed up stature, he’s failing to perform well and is usually only seeing action in games that look like a lost cause. Madson’s line on the week (4 GP, 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 HR, 2 BB, 7 SO). There are worse lines, but he has not shown any promise thus far, and this week just exemplified that feeling.

Runners Down: So Taguchi (you’re lucky we don’t do the same players two weeks in a row), Ryan Howard (patience is a virtue)

Mind = Blown: PitchFX (read the guide!)

This is an unbelievably well written guide to PitchFX on Son of Sam. PitchFX uses different pitches variables and statistics to create graphs that analyze pitch selection and results.

Click here for Cole Hamels’ data from last night. Click here for Johan Santana’s data.

To get the data for any pitcher of any game click here.

Philles – Padres Wrap up

Phillies win this one 7-4 after a strong start by Cole Hamels. His like : 7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO and my favorite state of all 97 pitches, 73 FOR STRIKES. Damn.

Ryan Howard had an RBI singled in the first, continuing his somewhat strong return from the bench. He was 1 for 4 on the day. Eric Bruntlett drove in the Phils’ second run in the third inning, making it 2-0 until Scott Hairston‘s solo shot in the 5th.

The score would stay that way until Jason Werth‘s sac-fly drove in Carlos Ruiz in the 7th after Greg Maddux was pulled.

Hamels made his way to the 8th just as with this last start, but with a much lower pitch count. He only lasted 1/3 of an inning though, putting runners on the corners. After JC Romero walked the bases loaded, Tom Gordon got out of the inning with two ground ball outs, letting up one inconsequential run charged to Hamels.

Then came the bottom of the 8th and the skies opened up for the Phils. A leadoff double Utley, an for RBI single for Perdo Feliz, a two RBI double Carlos Ruiz, and an RBI double for Greg Dobbs gave the Phillies a 7-2 lead going into the 9th. Ryan Madson came in to finish of the game in favor of Brad Lidge, because the save situation was no more. Madson did fine until a two run shot just right of the left field foul poll. But the Phils win this one 7-4.

This was a strong game for the Phils. Hamels threw a strong game and kept his pitch count low. Utley continued his tear going 2 for 4 with his 10th double of the season. Feliz and Ruiz also went 2 for 4. Tom Gordon couldn’t hold the runner on third when he came in, but he should be commended for getting out of the inning with the lead intact.

Greg Maddux misses his 350th win for in his second straight strong start.

Tomorrow: Grandpa Moyer faces off against Chris Young.

-Greg Berlin

Phillies – Padres Update

9:32 – Carlos Ruiz comin’ through with a 2 RBI double! And now Dobbs for another RBI double! 7-2 Phils.

9:28 – Wasn’t expecting that: Perdo Feliz knocks in Utley from second! Phillies up 4-2.

9:17 pm – Hamels is pulled after 7 and 1/3, with men on the corners. Romero comes in and walks a batter to load ’em. He’s pulled, Gordon comes in, and lets up two ground balls to get up out of the inning. Let’s up one run, which will be charged to Hamels, but overall great performance to get out of the inning. 3-2 Phils.

And Chase Utley leads off the bottom of the 8th with a double to center.

Phillies Preview – (4/29, 7:05pm EDT)

San Diego Padres (10-16) @ Philadelphia Phillies (14-12)

Cole Hamels (5 GS, 2-3, 2.75 ERA, 30 SO, 1.08 WHIP)
vs.
Greg Maddux (5 GS, 2-1, 3.66 ERA, 19 SO, 1.06 WHIP)

Old versus new tonight. At the age of 42, Greg Maddux will look for his 350th career win (after Trevor Hoffman blew it last week), while Cole Hamels, only 24 years old, looks to recover from last week’s 7+ inning outing in which he was lit up by Prince Fielder twice for two-run homers in the first and eighth innings.

Remember Phillies’ fans, Charlie Manuel opted to keep Hamels in after 110 pitches to start the 8th inning. Now, in Manuel’s defense, Hamels had 11 strikeouts in the game. But with the best bullpen in the National League, the move doesn’t hold water.

Look for CF Shane Victorino (strained right calf) to be back in the lineup tonight. He should be starting after a 15 day stint on the DL.

UPDATE: Essential reading by David Murphy over at High Cheese summing up the possible starting lineups tonight.

So what will it be?

Jayson Werth in center field and Victorino in right?

Victorino in center and Werth in right?

Victorino in center and Geoff Jenkins in right?

Or Werth in center, Jenkins in right, and Victorino on the bench?