Kendrick Makes Debut
Seeing Freddy Garcia on the mound would have given the Chicago White Sox a feeling of familiarity. Instead, they’ll be facing a pitcher no major league team has gotten a chance to get acquainted with.
With Garcia on the disabled list, Kyle Kendrick will make his first career start for the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday when they try to sweep their three-game series with the White Sox.
Oddsmakers have made Philadelphia -115 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for todays game, the over/under has been set at 10 total runs (Matchup). Our public betting information shows that 52% of bets for this game have been placed on Philadelphia -115 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
Garcia – who pitched for Chicago (28-34) from 2004-06 – was in line to pitch Wednesday, but Philadelphia (34-31) put the right-hander on the disabled Saturday with an ailing shoulder. An MRI exam on Monday showed fraying in Garcia’s rotator cuff and a problem in the labrum, and his status for the rest of the season is uncertain.
Garcia was 17-9 with a 4.53 ERA for the White Sox last season before being traded to the Phillies in the offseason.
Originally a seventh-round pick by the Phillies in the 2003 draft, the 22-year-old Kendrick was called up from Double-A Reading – where he went 4-7 with a 3.21 ERA – to take Garcia’s spot in the rotation. He threw a six-hitter against Harrisburg on June 6 in his last start, striking out five in an 8-1 victory.
"I like this kid," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "He’s got a chance to do a real good job."
The Phillies have gotten outstanding pitching lately, holding opponents to three runs or less in six of their last eight games. Chase Utley had four RBIs to help Cole Hamels become the National League’s first nine-game winner as Philadelphia beat Chicago 7-3 on Tuesday night.
After losing 11 of their first 15 games, the Phillies have gone 30-20 to become a factor in the NL East race. A win Wednesday would give Philadelphia its first home sweep of the season.
Chicago, meanwhile, has lost 14 of its last 17 and will be without third baseman Joe Crede for at least the next three months and possibly the remainder of the season. He underwent back surgery in Los Angeles on Tuesday and was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
"He thought he could play through it and now he found out he can’t,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Believe me, it’s a tough thing. We need him. I think the main reason he played through the pain was because he wanted to be part of the ballclub, and unfortunately it couldn’t happen.”
Rookie Josh Fields has replaced Crede as the regular third baseman. Fields, considered a top prospect, was batting .283 with 10 homers and 37 RBIs at Triple-A Charlotte, but is hitting .130 (3-for-23) with nine strikeouts for the White Sox.
"Defensively, he’s never going to be Joe Crede," Guillen said of Fields. "Offensively, the kid’s got speed. He’s been a good hitter in the past. He’s got a big opportunity."
The White Sox have scored three runs or less in 11 of their last 13 games. Chicago pitchers have also struggled in that span, posting a 4.42 ERA.
John Danks (3-6, 4.38 ERA) will get the ball for the White Sox on Wednesday. He has struggled in his last three starts, going 0-2 with a 6.43 ERA.
The rookie left-hander gave up four runs and seven hits while walking four in 5 2-3 innings as Chicago lost 5-2 to Houston on Friday night.
by: Michael Cash – thespread.com – Email Us
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