Game three of four in RFK Stadium, Washington, DC features:
Kyle Kendrick (9-4, 4.05) vs Tim Redding (3-5, 3.73)
Washington's dropped three straight at home, including the first two of four with Philadelphia in the Nationals last weekend at RFK Stadium. With two games left in the final homestand of the 2007 season, the Nationals need to take two straight to end up above the .500 mark at home on the season, as they stand at 39-40 in DC.
The Nationals will have to beat Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick on Saturday night. Kendrick, a twenty-three year old right-hander, is (0-1) in 2 career starts against the Nationals, surrendering 12 hits, 7 runs, 1 HR and 4 walks, with a 5.56 ERA against the franchise.
Kendrick faced Washington last on August 15th when he lasted 5.2 innings while allowing 7 hits, and 4 earned runs on 1 HR, with 1 walk and 1 K in a 4-2 Philly loss in a game in which he faced Tim Redding on the hill.
Tim Redding's faced Philadelphia 4 other times in his 3 Major League seasons. The Phillies have pinned 14 hits and 10 runs on Redding in 23.2 innings pitched, with 10 walks and 18 K's for the hard-throwing right-handed sinker baller.
On August 15 against Kendrick, Redding went 6 innings in the Washington win, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, with 3 walks and 7 K's with 1 HR allowed in the winning effort.
The Phillies now lead the season series (9-4) over the Nationals after taking the first two, but the Nationals still have five games against Philadelphia, so they can tie it and keep the Phillies out of the Playoffs. Either that or the Phillies sweep and the Nationals help keep the Mets out. Either way, DC fans win...