Game 118: Phillies at Dodgers (1/4)

Philadelphia Phillies: 64-53
Los Angeles Dodgers: 58-59

Kyle Kendrick (10-5 4.37 ERA, 1-1 6.75 ERA)
Derek Lowe (8-10 4.10 ERA, 3-1 2.84 ERA)

Projected lineups

Rollins SS 5/17, .294/.294/.412
Victorino CF 0/3
Utley 2B 3/11, 1 RBI, .273/.333/.364
Howard 1B 2/13, 1 RBI, .154/.267/.154
Burrell LF 6/16, 2 RBI, .375/.412/.500
Jenkins RF 2/12, 2 RBI, .167/.232/.333
Dobbs 3B 0/6
Coste C 1/4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .250/.250/1.000
Kendrick P

Kemp CF N/A
Ethier RF 2/4, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .500/.600/1.500
Kent 2B 0/3
Ramirez LF N/A
Loney 1B 2/5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .400/.400/1.000
Martin C 2/5, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .400/.500/1.000
Blake 3B N/A
Berroa SS N/A

It's time for five straight 10 PM starts. These games are always tough. They start late, and more often than not, the offense puts people to sleep. Tonight features a matchup of two sinkerballers, and Kendrick could learn something tonight. He has to go out there and compete, but between innings, I hope he's watching Lowe and how he approaches situations. He's a veteran sinkerballer, and it would be great if Kendrick could find a niche like Lowe's.

The Dodgers did get Manny, but this is a team that's under .500 and has been so since acquiring him. They have very good pitching and could overtake Arizona, but they're not an unbeatable force. Their lineup is mediocre up and down besides Manny, and if you control him, you control their offense.