Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Yankees | Predictions

Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Yankees

7:05PM Wednesday June 17 – ESPN

Pitching Probables: Kyle Kendrick vs. Andy Pettitte

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The Phillies switched up the pitching matchups with Jamie Moyer moving up and Kyle Kendrick getting the Thursday start. It might have had nothing to do with it but something woke up the bats as the Phillies jumped on AJ Burnett early with Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth both going yard. Have they opened the floodgates or just jumped on a struggling starter. Andy Pettitte has never had dynamite stuff but he knows how to pitch and has been sharper this year than his age suggests. Howard is an anemic 1 for 9 against Pettitte lifetime so they are going to have to rely on Placido Polanco and Raul Ibanez, who are more familiar with him from their time in the AL to do the damage.

The Yankees had won seven of eight heading into last nights loss and are a good bet to bounce back with Pettitte on the hill. He has gone 7 or more inning in 5 straight starts and if he gets deep into this one it means that he will have cooled the Philly bats pretty effectively. It can sometimes be an advantage when a pitcher is facing a team for the first time but Kendrick can get himself into trouble with walks so you know the Yankees are going to make him throw strikes to prove he can. The one Yankee with any history with Kendrick is Mark Teixeira and he is a paltry 1 for 12 lifetime.

The odds makers have the Yankees as 1-1/2 favorites with a run total of 10.

Prediction: I think the Phillies will build off their momentum from Wednesday with Kendrick being just effective enough to grab the victory. Look for some lineup changes from the Phillies, who might even sit Howard against Pettitte even though he has played in every game this year.

Score Prediction:
Philadelphia Phillies – 6
New York Yankees – 4

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