Atlanta @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2013 ) Atlanta 1, Philadelphia 2
The Atlanta Braves have a stranglehold on the National League East, but their up-and-down offense has cooled off again. The Braves play the second contest of a three-game series Saturday at the Philadelphia Phillies having scored three runs or fewer in eight of their past 10 outings. Atlanta is 7-3 in those contests thanks to strong starting pitching - the Braves have posted quality starts in 20 of their past 28 games.
Philadelphia likely will overhaul its roster this offseason, and Kyle Kendrick is one of many Phillies whose status for 2014 is undecided. The right-hander, who starts Saturday, is eligible for salary arbitration but will set a career high for losses with one more defeat. Kendrick has dropped six of his past seven decisions.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports South (Atlanta), CSN (Philadelphia)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Alex Wood (3-3, 3.15 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (10-12, 4.51)
Wood endured the worst outing of his brief major-league career Sunday against Miami, surrendering seven runs on eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. The rookie went 2-0 in five August starts with a 0.90 ERA. Wood, who was drafted by the Braves last summer out of the University of Georgia, pitched six innings of one-run, two-hit ball to win in Philadelphia on Aug. 4.
Kendrick won his first start in August to improve to 10-8, but is 0-4 since with a 5.27 ERA while allowing the opposition to bat .354 against him. The 29-year-old permitted five runs on eight hits in six innings Sunday versus the Chicago Cubs. He lost to the Braves on July 6 in Philadelphia, giving up six runs (five earned) on 11 hits in five innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta P Craig Kimbrel has converted 34 consecutive save opportunities dating to May 9, allowing one run in 44 1/3 innings (0.20 ERA) with 62 strikeouts.
2. Kendrick posted a 3.68 ERA in the first half of the season, but has a 6.70 ERA in his past nine starts.
3. Philadelphia RHP Jonathan Papelbon, who earned his 25th save Friday, is the only current member of the Phillies’ bullpen who has not pitched in Triple-A this season.
PREDICTION: Braves 5, Phillies 4