Dodgers Go For Split In Series Finale

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Dodgers Lineup vs. Philadelphia-4-24-14

Gordon 2B

Crawford LF

Hanley SS

Gonzalez 1B

Puig RF

Ethier CF

Uribe 3B

Federowicz C

Haren P

Kyle Kendrick-0-2 vs. Dan Haren-3-0

The Dodgers enjoyed a nice 5-2 win last night behind another dominant effort from Zack Greinke. The offense perked up to, finally dethawing from their deep freeze. The club scored five runs on 12 hits, and had six extra-base hits. So, hopefully the club will keep the momentum going. Tonight they’ll look to secure a series split of their four game set against the Phillies in the series finale at Dodger Stadium. Tonight’s match-up will feature two right handed starters who don’t fare well against their opposing team.

Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The boys in blue will give the ball to right hander Dan Haren, who has gotten off to a great start.The Phillies are trying to win a four game series, which doesn’t happen often for them. Philadelphia has only won two of their last 15 four game sets.

Ryne Sandberg will give the ball to right hander Kyle Kendrick. He pitched well in his last start. He allowed just three earned runs in seven frames at Colorado, but did not pick up the win. The 29-year old Houston native is 0-2 this year, with a 3.60 ERA in 25 innings pitched. He’s whiffed 17 and walked six, but is allowing 9.4 hits per nine innings. That’s his main problem, he allows too many base runners.

Kendrick’s career whiff per nine rate sits at 4.8, which is very low for a starting pitcher. Kendrick isn’t a big strikeout guy, but he does a good job at limiting his walks. Plus he’s only given up four home runs this year. Last year he allowed 18.

Kendrick is in his ninth season with the Phillies, and the Dodgers have always hit him well. Kendrick is 5-6 with a career 6.84 ERA against the Dodgers. He’s whiffed just 20 batters, and given up 67 hits in 50 innings pitched versus the Dodgers.

Kendrick has been really bad at Dodger Stadium. At Chavez Ravine, Kendrick is 3-3 with an 8.74 ERA in seven games. At Dodger Stadium the right hander has allowed 38 hits in 30 frames. The Dodgers are batting .315 (35 for 111) with three home runs, and an .857 OPS against Kendrick. Here’s the rest of the Dodger’s  numbers versus Kendrick.

PA

AB

H

2B

3B

HR

RBI

BB

SO

BA

OBP

SLG

Hanley Ramirez

36

35

9

3

0

1

5

0

4

.257

.278

.429

Andre Ethier

25

22

6

2

0

2

7

3

1

.273

.360

.636

Matt Kemp

15

15

6

0

0

0

1

0

3

.400

.400

.400

Adrian Gonzalez

12

9

3

1

0

0

2

3

2

.333

.500

.444

Justin Turner

12

12

2

1

0

0

1

0

0

.167

.167

.250

Yasiel Puig

6

6

5

1

1

0

0

0

0

.833

.833

1.333

Juan Uribe

5

5

2

1

0

0

0

0

1

.400

.400

.600

Carl Crawford

3

3

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

.333

.333

.333

Dee Gordon

3

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.000

.333

.000

Kenley Jansen

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1.000

1.000

1.000

Paul Maholm

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.000

.000

.000

Total

119

111

35

9

1

3

16

6

11

.315

.361

.495

The Dodgers will counter with Dan Haren. The Socal native has gotten off to a great start for the Dodgers. Haren is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA, and has looked very sharp. Haren has allowed just six earned runs and walked just two in 25 innings. He has 20 whiffs, and a 10-1 strikeout to walk ratio.

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Haren is the ultimate control guy, he just doesn’t walk anyone. Ever. However, Haren does not pitch well against the Phillies. In his career, he is just 1-4 with a 5.09 ERA. In those eight starts, he’s given up ten home runs in 46 innings.

The Phillies are hitting .271 (35 for 129) against Haren, with six home runs, and an .842 OPS. The guy that the Dodgers have to really be careful with is Marlon Byrd. The veteran outfielder is hitting . 476 (10 for 21) against Haren, with two doubles, a triple, and two home runs.

PA

AB

H

2B

3B

HR

RBI

BB

SO

BA

OBP

SLG

Marlon Byrd

23

21

10

2

1

2

3

1

4

.476

.522

.952

Jimmy Rollins

22

21

5

3

0

0

1

1

4

.238

.273

.381

Tony Gwynn

19

15

2

0

1

0

2

4

3

.133

.316

.267

Chase Utley

17

15

4

1

0

1

3

2

2

.267

.353

.533

Domonic Brown

12

10

3

0

0

1

2

2

1

.300

.417

.600

Ryan Howard

12

11

3

0

0

2

5

1

6

.273

.333

.818

Ben Revere

11

11

4

0

0

0

0

0

2

.364

.364

.364

Carlos Ruiz

7

6

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

.000

.143

.000

Jayson Nix

5

5

2

1

0

0

0

0

1

.400

.400

.600

Cody Asche

3

3

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

.000

.000

.000

Freddy Galvis

3

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

.000

.000

.000

Wil Nieves

3

3

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

.333

.333

.333

Cole Hamels

2

2

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

.500

.500

1.000

Cliff Lee

2

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

.000

.000

.000

John Mayberry

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.000

.000

.000

Total

142

129

35

8

2

6

17

11

29

.271

.338

.504

Tonight is also Clayton Kershaw bobblehead night. Which reminds me that Kershaw is all set to pitch in his first rehab game tomorrow night at Rancho. Kershaw should make around 50 pitches or so. We’ll have complete coverage of Kershaw’s road to recovery, so be on the lookout.

We’ll be back after the game with a complete recap, so don’t snooze.

Go Blue!