Series Preview: Phillies at Cubs, May 16-17

The Phillies (18-19) are set to hit the road for the 2 games that break up a stretch in which they play 14 of 16 games at home, as they head to Chicago to face the Cubs (15-21).

For the second time this season, righty Kyle Kendrick will fill in for an injured member of the Phils' starting rotation and face Cubs hurler Matt Garza. Last time, Kendrick pitched in place of Cliff Lee, while he takes Vance Worley's turn this time around. Worley is slated to miss a start, as he deals with soreness in his throwing arm.

The switch could be a break for Chicago, as Worley has been a strong contributor (3-1, 2.81 ERA in his last 5 games) for the Phillies while Kendrick has struggled greatly this year.

Last season, the Phillies won 2 of 3 meetings with the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Read ahead for more information on the pitching match ups for this series and well as many more statistical nuggets.

Wednesday, 8:05 PM. Kyle Kendrick (0-3, 7.32 ERA) vs. Matt Garza (2-1, 2.56 ERA). Kendrick is 0-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 3 career games against the Cubs. Kendrick has thrown just 1 inning, a scoreless frame, at Wrigley Field in his career. In 4 career starts against Philadelphia, Garza has a 2-1 record with a 0.96 ERA and a .135 batting average against. Garza is 1-0 with a 1.66 ERA in 3 home starts this season. Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco and Jimmy Rollins are a combined 5-for-29 (.128 avg) in their careers against Garza in regular season action.

Thursday, 8:05 PM. Roy Halladay (3-3, 3.20 ERA) vs. Chris Volstad (0-5, 6.92 ERA). Halladay has a 2-1 record with a 3.75 ERA in 4 road starts this season. In 6 career starts against the Cubs, Halladay is 1-5 with a 3.75 ERA. The Phillies have lost each of Halladay’s last 5 starts. In 13 career starts against the Phillies, the righty Volstad has a 2-5 record with a 5.89 ERA. Volstad is a former 1st round draft selection (2005) of the Marlins. Volstad has a 0-4 record with a 6.07 ERA in 8 career starts at Wrigley Field.

Former Cub Mike Fontenot has a .273 average with 9 HR and 58 RBI in 210 career games at Wrigley Field. The lefty batting Fontenot is 1-for-3 against Garza and is 5-for-16 (.313 avg) with 2 doubles and a HR in his career against Volstad.

Carlos Ruiz is batting .352 with 3 HR and 13 RBI in 16 road games this season. Ruiz is a .205 in 15 career games at Wrigley Field.

In 19 road games this year, Freddy Galvis has posted a .164 batting average. Galvis' 15 RBI rank 3rd best on the Phillies.

Bryan LaHair, Chicago’s HR leader with 10, is 7-for-15 (.467 avg) in his career against Philadelphia. In 18 home games this season, LaHair is batting .373 with 4 homers and 8 RBI.

Alfonso Soriano is a .252 career hitter in 54 games against the Phillies. Soriano, who has hit 20 or more homeruns for each of the past ten seasons, hit his first homerun of the season against St. Louis on Tuesday.

Former Phillies prospect Adrian Cardenas made his Major League debut with the Cubs last week and, since then, he has gone 1-for-10 (.100 average). Cardenas was dealt away in the 2008 Joe Blanton trade.

In 14 home games this season, Cubs catcher Geovany Soto has posted a .125 average.

_____________________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular ...

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Prospect Brody Colvin

Recently, right-handed pitcher Brody Colvin was promoted from Class A Advanced Clearwater to Double-A Reading. Prior to the 2012 season, Colvin, who turns 22-years-old on Tuesday, was ranked as PhilliesNation's 6th best prospect . This season, following some ups and downs, it's unclear where Colvin will rank next preseason. Earlier this year, Colvin, a Louisiana native, was removed from Clearwater's starting rotation and moved to the bullpen to relax and improve his mental approach. He did so and returned to starting after a brief time. Through his first two outings with the R-Phils, the 7th round draft choice from 2009 posted a 1-0 record while allowing five earned runs in 11 innings (4.09 ERA). In his last start on Saturday, however, Colvin allowed eight earned runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched in a loss to New Britain. In a recent interview with Brody, he spoke about the transition moving to the Eastern League, his brief bullpen stint, physical concerns from last season...

Phillies look-alikes, Part 1

The Phillies are World Series Champions and, thus, are world wide celebrities. This recognition isn't enough, I tell you. Some of the champs could very well be confused with other major celebrities around the globe...or at least around my house. Let's dig in... Two look-alikes in particular have been widely discussed. Geoff Jenkins even made a sign on the table covering at his autograph station at last year's Phillies Phestival that he is not Brett Favre or phormer Phillie Randy Wolf. ------------------------------------------------------- Jayson Werth may be on his way to Wrestlemania. Jay-Dub is aware that he resembles Heavyweight wrestling champion Adam "Edge" Copeland. Are you? -------------------------------------------- Carlos Ruiz's fame was boosted by TBS during the playoffs, but he might be ready for his own Comedy Central sketch show, as he looks very much like Carlos Mencia. Dee dee dee! -------------------------------------------------- And whi...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog