The Phillies haven't been so great on the road recently, but they'll have a chance to take three of four at Dodger Stadium with Kyle Kendrick on the mound tonight.
The Phillies are just 14-30 in their last 44 road games. They had a chance to win Wednesday night in Cole Hamels' season debut, but Zack Greinke was just too good (and the bullpen was what we've come to expect it to be).
They still have a chance to win their second road series of the year tonight, but it won't be easy against Dan Haren (3-0, 2.16).
The former three-time All-Star is off to a super start, with 20 strikeouts and just two walks in 25 innings.
A win tonight would give the Phillies a realistic chance to finish their road trip 6-4 -- if they can also take two of three over the weekend in Arizona. That seemed extremely unrealistic after they dropped the first pair of games at Coors Field.
OF NOTE...
• Dan Haren is 1-4 with a 5.09 ERA in eight lifetime starts against the Phils.
• Ryan Howard is 8 for 17 with seven RBIs in his last four games.
• Key matchups for Haren: Marlon Byrd (10 for 21, 2 HR), Ryan Howard (3 for 11, 2 HR)
• Key matchups for Kendrick: Yasiel Puig (5 for 6), Andre Ethier (6 for 22, 2 HR)
• Kendrick has made 11 straight starts without earning the win.
***repost***I love this:
Do Phils have anywhere to turn for bullpen help?
One of our hosts believes Giles can help today. I believe he can help, too. Dammit, he's 23 years old and he throws strikes at extreme velocities. Anything other than the on-again/off-again Manship/Hollands express to late inning heartbreak.
Rollins, Utley Howard, Ruiz and Lee are old, but are playing for pride. This can't be discounted. Nearly every victory the Phillies have this young season "feels" like the scuffling, brawling teams of '06 - '10.
On the other hand, if Mont; er, umm, Amaro trades Biddle for some pack of Wade-sanctioned rag-armed stiffs, I'm turning in my phan card. Maybe for good.
How can you not hope for a great KK performance tonight, and a sweep of the Diamondbacks? That would leave the team 3 games over .500 - with some April still left.
Am I a Phillies junkie, or what?
Posted by: Rally Red '67 | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 08:54 PM
I'm pretty skeptical of Giles, because he has an astronomically high career walk rate. And, for all the cliches about how a good stuff/bad command prospect can eventually improve, they usually never do -- especially when they play for the Phillies.
Nonetheless, I'm getting pretty close to my, "What the hell; call him up" threshold. He's throwing strikes right now. It probably won't last, but we might as well ride it as long as it does. And when he crashes, it's not like he's apt to be meaningfully worse than guys like Manship, Hollands, and Diekman.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 09:14 PM
I could see Giles immediately imploding when MLB hitters dont chase his pitches out of the zone and then just sit fastball on him.
MLB hitters can hit a 100 mph fastball...especially if they know its coming.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 09:22 PM
I could easily see it too. Then again, that wouldn't be all that different from the implosions we're already witnessing on an almost nightly basis.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 09:47 PM
Franco,3 hits including a HR.
Posted by: jr | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:07 PM
"MLB hitters can hit a 100 mph fastball...especially if they know its coming."
Yep, and with Giles providing all that power, if they hit a fly ball...
Posted by: awh™ | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:12 PM
I've seen plenty of fine arguments on Giles probably not being able to succeed at this level right now that I generally agree with.
I also think it's easy to agree on this point: half the bullpen right now is as bad (or worse) than Giles skeptics predict he will be- and that has no chance of getting any better. With Giles, there's at least a chance. And it can't get any worse (like, literally, it can't get worse).
If the bullpen doesn't improve, the team isn't competing this year. At some point, they have to shuffle around personnel and hope to find lightning in a bottle.
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:15 PM
I have no issue calling him up...I just wouldn't expect much.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:19 PM
My concern with the game tonight is that Kendrick has been horrid in Dodger Stadium:
22.2 IP, 109 PA, 8.34 ERA, 1.853 WHIP, .363 .404 .539 against
Posted by: awh™ | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:19 PM
Not to take away anything...Hollands is a 70% experiment and 20% desperation and 10% see what sticks.
Posted by: PLM | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:20 PM
FREE 100 MILE GILES!
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:20 PM
PLM, I would say the ratio is 85/14/1.
Posted by: awh™ | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:24 PM
I guess black holes do exist.
Posted by: Stephen Hawking | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:38 PM
Even Kendrick had trouble getting a good swing against Haren.
Posted by: Meyer | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:38 PM
It's the blackest of black holes. That was embarrassing.
Posted by: Curt | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:38 PM
Why do the walk-up songs in Dodger Stadium sound so much more tinny and obnoxious than in other stadiums? It's REALLY annoying.
Posted by: Tim | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:46 PM
While you are fixing the pen: try improving 3b and backup infielders. Asche,Galvis and Nix may be worse than the pen.
Posted by: jr | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:50 PM
Come on, Big Piece!
Posted by: GBrettfan | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:55 PM
Ugh!
Posted by: PLM | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 10:58 PM
Brutal,just brutal
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:01 PM
I keep reminding myself that the Dodgers have good pitching in order to feel better (or not as bad) about the Phillies' not scoring. But it's hard to watch them put runners on without plating them, with frequency.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:02 PM
Galvis and Ashce (least for time been) should not be in the lineup at the same time unless a injury occurs.
Posted by: PLM | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:15 PM
For the third straight year, this team is unwatchable. In consecutive innings, I have slammed my ipad cover shut after witnessing supposedly professional hitters come up small with runners on base.
It is a disgrace that such a high payroll should yield little league results.
We all should be outraged, but how do you pick your targets? There are so many. Nix/Galvis/Asche should all be sent elsewhere. The latter two need to ride buses for awhile until they learn how to hit. Batting them back-to-back followed by the pitcher is essentially giving up on one-third of the batting order. How can you win games that way? Screw defense. Get me hitters. And what's up with anemic Howard?
Yuck to everything.
Posted by: mainerob | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:18 PM
Exactly the pitchers duel we all expected with KK and Haren going.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:18 PM
Nice job, KK! From 3-0 to a K.
Never mind. Followed up the strikeout by giving up a HR.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:28 PM
Can't score. Just gave up two. Game and season over. Sanity too important. Until tomorrow.
Posted by: mainerob | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:29 PM
Ok...time for bed.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:29 PM
Well, splitting the series with the Dodgers isn't terrible....of course, without that error, we'd have lost the series 1 game to 3.....assuming that we do lose tonight.
KK gives up a hit to Haran. KK's falling apart all of a sudden.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:32 PM
The offense is just fine. Yep, it's definitely offensive.
Posted by: Cyclic | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:35 PM
Nice job by Revere to go to 3B on that. Come on, Chase!
Posted by: GBrettfan | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:40 PM
mainerob I suggest anger management
Posted by: Buddy Rydell | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:43 PM
Howard has looked like a total chump tonight.
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:44 PM
Now we'll see if mainerob/NEPP actually gave up.
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:45 PM
Oh, my, an error, a Howard "Oops" that moves the runners, an Byrd's fly ball missed by Puig, and we're in the lead! Woohoo!
Not that I think KK and the 'pen can hold it, but still, we're in the lead for now!
Posted by: GBrettfan | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:45 PM
That was fun
Posted by: Jake | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:45 PM
Galvis should get a free base for walking the guy in front of him just like in co-ed softball.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:46 PM
Haren is lucky its not 10-2, Phillies have been bailing him out all night
Posted by: Jake | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:47 PM
It would be a good time for Galvis to get a hit. Nope, guess not.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:48 PM
Freddy has really regressed. He doesn't look like he could maintain a .200 average in Wiliamsport.
Posted by: Curt | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:49 PM
Galvis now batting .043
Posted by: Jake | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:51 PM
Post Steroids Galvis or Galvis still in ST form? No one expected him to be more than a .240 hitter but gosh...
Posted by: PLM | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:53 PM
Galvis needs his PEDs
Posted by: Cyclic | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:54 PM
That damn MRSA ate Freddy's hitting confidence.
Posted by: Meyer | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:55 PM
Ugh this will end well
Posted by: Cyclic | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:56 PM
WTF is the difference? He was out by a mile
Posted by: Jake | Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 11:59 PM
Also of note, it's basically impossible to watch the Dodgers on tv if you live in the LA area
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Ruiz did not have his foot on the line. Could have slid around him. I think he should be out, but I bet it's overturned.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Yay, it's an out! Whew!
Posted by: GBrettfan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Tick tock..
Posted by: Jake | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Replay is on my nerves, that should have never been reveiwed - insane. They are finally going to ruin baseball for me.
Posted by: Chasing Ugly | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:02 AM
Asche with one foot out of the dog house. Great play.
Posted by: Jake | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:02 AM
The new phenomenon everywhere you turn: "rules" no one understands.
Posted by: Curt | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:03 AM
I can't help but note the irony that the rule put in place for the purpose of protecting catchers from injury makes it harder for them to do their job.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:03 AM
Kendrick at 89 pitches in the 5th. No matter what happens this inning, the bullpen will have a few innings so Dodgers will tack on at least 6 runs.
Posted by: Bobby Cocks | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:03 AM
From his San Fran days, I hate Uribe.
Posted by: Chasing Ugly | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:05 AM
Wow. Awesome. Let's score more
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:06 AM
Start the pool on which stiff gets the BS tonight.
Posted by: Curt | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:07 AM
The no plate blocking rule is bad, but the fact that it's a challengeable play makes it that much worse.
Posted by: Jake | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:08 AM
Actually, I'll take KK to blow the lead in the bottom of the 6th.
Posted by: Curt | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:10 AM
The futility of the 7-8-9 hitters is unbelievable - really, nobody thought it would be this bad. If they keep this up, we'll eventually see Hamels or Lee pinch hitting for a 7 or 8 place hitter in a late inning.
Posted by: Bobby Cocks | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:10 AM
Bobby: Funny that the pitchers have better ABs than Galvis or Asche.
Posted by: Chasing Ugly | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:11 AM
Hate Uribe so much
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:20 AM
And the fun that is the Phillies bullpen begins.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:24 AM
I don't care, leave Kendrick in to finish sixth. They are expecting a miracle to get 3 1/3 innings from this pen.
Posted by: Bobby Cocks | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:25 AM
Come on, Diekman.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:26 AM
At least Diek's 8.10 ERA is better than the BP average.
Posted by: Curt | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:27 AM
Wooo Kemp sucks
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:29 AM
He did it!
Only 3 more innings to hold a 1-run lead.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:30 AM
Alright, I've given up on the Warriors debacle. Now I'm here to watch the Phillies bullpen debacle.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:31 AM
Half of the first row of people behind home plate are messing with their phones.
Posted by: Bobby Cocks | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:36 AM
Uribe is the devil.
Posted by: Chasing Ugly | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:37 AM
Howard's brief little hot streak was fun while it lasted.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:37 AM
Big piece comes up small.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:37 AM
So we were better off when Howard was merely striking out.
Posted by: Curt | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:37 AM
bap: You missed his first 3AB's, where he hit the ball a total of 5 feet.
Posted by: Conway Twitty | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:41 AM
Yep. That's about right
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:42 AM
Crap.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:42 AM
And we have tonight's BP contest winner.
Posted by: Curt | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:44 AM
Scully - "The Phillies' bullpen has done it again."
Posted by: Chasing Ugly | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:44 AM
A good bullpen gives up 0 R so this is clearly gonna be a LATTB
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:48 AM
A good bullpen gives up O runs every now and then ...
Posted by: Joe Smoe | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:50 AM
The tension builds while Freddy approaches the plate...will he or won't he manage to put the bat on the ball.
Posted by: Curt | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:52 AM
Moral victory for Frddy!
Posted by: Curt | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:54 AM
Byrd Brown Galvis... Ugh
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:54 AM
And how often does a good offense score more than 3?
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:56 AM
I was curious - Galvis' lone hit was on 4/20 in Colorado. The game in which everybody was hitting.
Posted by: Bobby Cocks | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:56 AM
FURIBE
Posted by: The Beard | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:58 AM
Asche/Rollins/Revere - strike out, pop out, ground out
Posted by: Bobby Cocks | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:00 AM
Oh Gwynn isn't very good. Who knew?
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:08 AM
Gwynn fails, Revere comes through. Its almost like Revere is better than Gwynn or something like that.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:11 AM
In the 7th inning or later the Phillies are hitting a league-worst .174 (I think that was it) as a team, reports Franzke.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:11 AM
Coin flip - who do I hate more, Wilson or Uribe?
Posted by: Chasing Ugly | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:11 AM
Chooch!!!!!!!
Posted by: GBrettfan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:12 AM
Choooooooch
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:13 AM
Wilson looks like a future Phillie.
Posted by: Curt | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:13 AM
Ruiz is blistering hot.
Posted by: Meyer | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:13 AM
Nice, walk Utley to get Howard - this should pyss off the Big Piece ...
Posted by: Joe Smoe | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:15 AM
Cue the Byrd GIDP
Posted by: Cyclic | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:17 AM
Let's hope Papelbon doesn't duplicate Wilson's performance.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:17 AM
Chooch on base 12 of 15 times out of the #2 hole.
Posted by: Conway Twitty | Friday, April 25, 2014 at 01:18 AM