Ervin Santana's impressive start to his stint with the Atlanta Braves has been overshadowed by inconsistencies that have plagued him in recent starts. That could spell bad news for the Atlanta Braves after they suffered yet another low-scoring loss on Monday night, but Kyle Kendrick has not exactly looked any better as the Phillies could be in need of some more late-game heroics to salvage a win.
The pressure is on Santana considering the Braves bullpen hast pitched 15 2.3 innings in three games. They could use a rest. The right-hander started his season going 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA as he looked like a total steal for the Braves. However, since then, he has given up at least five runs in four of his last six starts. As of now he is carrying a 4.09 ERA and a 5-3 record. His last start offers some hope. He gave up just one unearned run in seven innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Kendrick has been all over the map as well, finding most of his struggles happening in the first inning. He started the year winless through nine starts, but has since won two of four games with a 4.09 ERA. However, in the first inning, he averages a 9.00 ERA while batters are hitting .393 against him at the start of the game. The other issue is Kendrick is winless on the road, going 0-8 with a 5.46 ERA with just 18 runs of support during 11 starts. Kendrick has never lost at Turner Field. He has a 2.45 ERA in 11 games.
Santana has also had his share of success against Philadelphia which could make this rivalry game more interesting. He gave up just one run while striking out 11 back in April as the Braves won 9-6. Ryan Howard does have a home run off him, his eighth in 16 games against Atlanta. The Braves have some hit streaks to counter attack the Phillies. Chris Johnson has six multihit games in his last eight while Justin Upton is 5 for 10 with two homers against Kendrick.
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