Phils-Blue Jays game notes: Kendrick vs. Romero

Friday, July 1, 2011
Posted: 9:39 a.m.

CSNPhilly.com
Phillies (51-31) at Blue Jays (40-42), 1:07 on CSN
Starting Pitchers
Phillies: Kyle Kendrick (4-4, 3.23) makes the start for the Phils in place of the injured Roy Oswalt. Kendrick's most recent start came June 15, when he gave up one run and five hits in seven innings against Florida. He is 2-2 with a 3.91 ERA as a starter this season.

Blue Jays: Ricky Romero (7-7, 2.74) has a 1.13 ERA over his last three starts, going 2-1 in that stretch. He pitched a four-hitter against the Cardinals on Sunday to even his record at .500. Romero has faced the Phils twice in his career, logging a 1.93 ERA over 14 innings.

Previous games
The Phillies are coming off a series victory against the Red Sox in which they won the first two games before dropping Thursday's finale. Cole Hamels left after four innings after getting hit in the hand by a line drive, while Ryan Howard's two-run homer accounted for the team's only offense in the 5-2 loss.

The Blue Jays lost two of three vs. Pittsburgh this week, capped by Thursday's 6-2 defeat. J.P. Arencibia and Yunel Escobar hit home runs in that contest for Toronto.

Head-to-head
The Phillies have won four of their last five meetings with the Blue Jays, including two of three last season in the series that was moved from Toronto to Philadelphia because of the G-20 Summit.
Whos hot?
Since June 21, Chase Utley is batting .370 (10-for-27). ... Placido Polanco brings a modest four-game hitting streak into Friday's game.

For Toronto, Escobar is hitting .500 (10-for-20) with three RBIs in his last five games. However, he is 1-for-16 lifetime against Kendrick.
Storylines
The Phillies received strong efforts from Michael Stutes and Antonio Bastardo two days ago, but how will they fare in a road contest against a dangerous offensive team? ... Toronto starters have a 7.71 ERA at home over the team's last 11 games in Toronto, a stretch that has resulted in only three victories. Meanwhile, the Phillies lead the majors with a 3.01 ERA and a 2.93 ERA from their rotation. ... Will Howard's mammoth blast in Thursday's game get the slugger back in a power-hitting groove?
Sound off
Who do you think has been the Phillies' biggest disappointment this season?