Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 10:15 AM | 10 comments |
 

Perhaps it's time to give Kyle Kendrick his due. . .
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I will fully admit to being skeptical of Kyle Kendrick prior to the start of this season, and I know I wasn't the only one. He'd pitched just a half a season in the big leagues, and his numbers were hardly dominant. But a third of the way through this season, perhaps it is time to re-examine that skepticism.

So here we go:

-Opponents are hitting .299 against him.

-His 4.84 ERA is nearly a run higher than it was last season.

-He is allowing 1.53 walks/hits per inning pitched, tied with Jamie Moyer for the worst figure among Phillies starters, and 48th among 66 NL starters with at least 40 innings pitched.

But. . .

-The Phillies have won seven of his last eight starts and are 8-3 in games he pitches this season.

-Since allowing 11 runs in 7 1/3 innings in his first two starts of the season, Kendrick is 3-1 with a 4.65 ERA and has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.6-to-1.

-He hasn't recorded a loss since April 16.

-He's allowed fewer than four runs in five of his last six starts.

Kendrick has said repeatedly this season that his main goal is to put his team in a position to win. And, for the most part, he has done that. With 11 starts under his belt, he's essentially a third of the way through the season. Combined with 20 starts last year, he has close to a full major league season under his belt.

Is it time to put the worries about Kendrick to rest?

^

Chris Coste will likely start tonight at catcher, Charlie Manuel said yesterday.

^

Pat Burrell's neck condition was simply a stiff neck, something like you'd experience after sleeping on it wrong. It's easy to see how something like that would affect a major league hitter. I'd guess he'll be back in the line-up tonight, though Greg Dobbs had a solid performance in his stead last night.

 
Posted by David Murphy @ 10:15 AM  Permalink | 10 comments
10
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:27 PM, 05/28/2008
    It is definitely time to put the worries about Kendrick to rest. That little bugger was painting the corners like crazy last night. Hasn't lost since April 16, yeah its definitely time I'd say.
    — skater262
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:37 PM, 05/28/2008
    Not yet. Brandon Duckworth was good for a while around here as well. Ryan Madson pitched well for a year, and now it seems everytime he makes an appearance he gives up 500ft moon shots. The list goes on and on..I must admit though, Kendrick has a calm demeanor I really like. The one guy who did not get enough credit and was let go too soon was a pitcher by the name of Vicente Padille. He won AGAIN last night to go 7-2 with a 3.5 ERA on a pitiful Texas team.
    — Leron
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:53 PM, 05/28/2008
    Hamels - A-OK 5 stars. Moyer - OK 3.5 stars. Kendrick - OK 3 stars leaning towards 3.5. Eaton - hopin' n prayin' 2.5 stars. Myers - WTF? - 2 stars.
    — dksurf
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:07 PM, 05/28/2008
    While the team is winning with Kendrick takes the mound, it is more reasonable to say he has been pitching lucky than pitching well. He's not pitching deep enough into games (just over 5 innings a start) nor has he pitched well on the road (9 K / 12 BB; .356 AVG). Perhaps 11 starts is a small sample; however, I'm not prepared to stop worrying about him. Eaton may have given up more homers, but he's actually allowing slightly less baserunners than any starter other Hamels. Padilla may be winning, but he's not worth the locker room attitude or the free agent salary Texas is paying him.
    — bacbank
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:38 PM, 05/28/2008
    I think the jury is still out on Kendricks much like the jury is still out on another Philadelphia rookie..........Mr. High Cheese himself David "don't call me Dale" Murphy.
    — rockinrob
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:26 PM, 05/28/2008
    Greg Dobbs has been an animal all season. Maybe it's time we give him HIS due.
    — chriszak
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:00 PM, 05/28/2008
    and also poodles are the devil
    — morningstar
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:04 PM, 05/28/2008
    Maybe Kendrick is a winner because the players are on their toes behind him. He gets the ball and gets ride of it. He has total concentration and throws ground balls that lead to double players and it sure helps that he has decent command.
    — brinkmang
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:05 PM, 05/28/2008
    So much for Coste getting the start tonight.
    — bacbank


10 comments
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times. E-mail Dave at dmurphy@phillynews.com.

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