On deck: Braves at Phillies


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/25/08

• When (TV); where: 7:05 p.m. Friday (WPCH), 3:55 p.m. Saturday (Fox) and 1:35 p.m. Sunday (SportSouth); Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

• Radio: 640 AM, 94.9 FM

• Probable starters: Tonight — RH Kyle Kendrick (8-4, 4.87 ERA), Phillies vs. RH Jair Jurrjens (9-5, 3.22), Braves; Saturday — LH Cole Hamels (9-6, 3.11), Phillies vs. LH Jo-Jo Reyes (3-9, 4.95), Braves; Sunday — RH Joe Blanton (5-12, 4.96) Phillies vs. RH Jorge Campillo (5-4, 2.83), Braves

• Worth noting: Chipper Jones will be evaluated today after he left Wednesday's game in Florida with a left hamstring strain. He has missed two games against the Phillies this year — a 5-0 loss on May 15 (groin strain) and a 6-3 loss on June 8 (quadriceps). ... The Braves are considering pitching Mike Hampton in place of Reyes on Saturday, depending on the health of Tim Hudson, who felt elbow tightness during his start Wednesday in Florida. Hampton hasn't pitched in a game since August 2005. ... The Braves are 1-8 this season against the Phillies, having lost the past seven. They won their only game 8-6 on May 14 during their previous trip to Philadelphia. ... The Phillies just acquired Joe Blanton from the Oakland A's and moved Adam Eaton to the bullpen. Blanton gave up five runs on eight hits in six innings against the Mets on Tuesday but took a no-decision after the Phillies rallied for six runs in the ninth. ... Brett Myers is back in the rotation, up from the minors, but the Braves will miss his turn. ... The Phillies lost two of three to the Mets this week and are now in second place.

• Who's hot: Pat Burrell is 8-for-22 (.364) with three doubles and two home runs in the six games since the All-Star break.

• Tonight's pitching matchup: Jurrjens should be in a better rhythm than he was in his first start after the break, when 10 days off left him rusty in a five-run outing and a loss to the Nationals. He has faced the Phillies once this season, a 4-1 loss on July 3 at Turner Field. Jurrjens has allowed eight home runs this year, three of them to Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pedro Feliz of the Phillies. ... Kendrick is coming off his worst start of the season, having given up seven runs in 4 1/3 innings to the Marlins. He allowed three home runs among his 10 hits. Kendrick is 3-0 with a 4.13 ERA in five starts against the Braves, including 2-0 in three starts this season. He limited the Braves to three runs or less in starts July 1, June 7 and May 13, while going at least 5 1/3 innings. Chipper Jones is hitting 6-for-12 (.500) off him with two doubles and two homers, and Jeff Francoeur is hitting 5-for-14 (.357) against him.

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