The Phillies are enjoying a red-hot August despite having major stars on the disabled list.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies
Los Angeles has lost nine of its last 10 road games and is suffering through a five-game losing streak away from Dodger Stadium. In those five games, the offense is managing to average just 1.8 runs and hit for a .156 combined average. The club hopes to build off of an eight-run outburst in the homestand finale against the Nationals. “Today was a good day,” manager Joe Torre said about Sunday’s output. “But we need more contributions from the guys in the middle. The Dodgers are in the middle of a 10-game stretch against opponents from the National League East (2-1) and have posted a 10-13 record against the division this season. Los Angeles if 5-4 this month (-100) and 32-35 in August over the last three seasons (-1,580). The Blue Crew has compiled a solid 8-4 record on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 (+360), which differs greatly from the 22-30 mark the last three years in this situation (-1,160).
Dodgers starting pitcher Vicente Padilla is 5-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 13 starts this season and is coming off a shutout victory in his last outing. In that start, he scattered two hits while issuing two walks and striking out nine batters. Before his last outing, Los Angeles suffered three straight defeats with him on the hill, as the offense managed to provide just seven runs of support. The right-hander is an even 1-1 with a 4.86 ERA in seven road starts. In eight nighttime starts in 2010, he has compiled a 4-2 record and 2.29 ERA compared to an even 1-1 mark and 4.72 ERA during five daytime appearances. Padilla has made just one career regular season start against his old team, allowing seven runs in six innings on June 28, 2008.
Philadelphia hasn’t suffered a letdown with All-Star first baseman Ryan Howard landing on the disabled list, winning five of six games thus far, as the team has gone 14-3 since falling seven games behind the division-leading Braves on July 21. “This team has the mentality that I haven’t seen on other teams,” outfielder Raul Ibanez said. “It’s a light enough clubhouse where a lot isn’t said.” The Phillies have produced a 7-1 record this month by averaging 5.3 runs per game and hitting for a combined .297 average. The club is 39-25 in August over the last three years and the total is 25-36 O/U over that span. Philadelphia is an even 6-6 after enjoying a day off, but is a sparkling 35-24 in this situation the last three campaigns (+760).
Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick is 7-4 with a 4.37 ERA in 23 appearances (21 starts) this season and has led the team to three consecutive victories. In those outings, he has allowed four runs and 18 hits over 19.1 innings of work. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 4.72 ERA in 10 home starts, but has surrendered 11 home runs in 55.1 frames. In four career games against the Dodgers, Kendrick brings an even 2-2 record and 7.29 ERA, including a perfect 2-0 mark and 3.65 ERA in two outings at Citizens Bank Park. His last start against them came on August 22, 2008, leading the Phillies to an 8-1 home win, giving up just a single run over 5.2 innings.
Bettors need to be aware that the Dodgers are 1-7 in Padilla’s last eight road starts and the total is 5-2-1 O/U in those contests. Philadelphia has won nine of its last 10 games against right-handed starters and have gone over the total in five straight in that situation.
