Philadelphia @ Arizona preview
Chase Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 24, 2010 ) Philadelphia 3, Arizona 2
Jayson Werth’s development was slow to come early in his career but there seems to be no stopping it now.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ outfielder has reached base in all 17 games this season, including the game-winning home run – one of two he hit Saturday - in a victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The great start to Werth’s 2010 season is coming on the heels of the two best years of his career that began in Toronto in 2002.
While he mostly bided his time with the Toronto Blue Jays (2002-03) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2004-06), Werth has become a mainstay for the Phillies, who are the two-time defending National League champions.
His presence in the Phillies’ lineup has become more prominent with each passing season and led to his first 500 at-bat campaign in 2009. Werth responded with 36 home runs, 98 runs, 99 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.
The 30-year-old Werth is off to a good start this year, hitting .333 with three home runs and 10 RBIs.
It helps when you are sandwiched in the lineup between Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez and will see some good pitches to hit, but it is more than that. Werth has seen his walk total grow each season in Philadelphia, topping out at 91 last season.
He will take his improving approach to the plate today against the Diamondbacks starter Rodrigo Lopez (1-0, 3.50 ERA). He’ll be opposed by right-hander Kyle Kendrick (0-0, 7.24), who looks to build off his last start.
After going less than six innings and yielding 11 earned runs, in his first two starts combined, Kendrick went eight scoreless innings in his last outing against Atlanta.
The Diamondbacks have a chance to win their first series since the first week of the season after the teams split the first two games.
The offense has been pretty solid for the most part his season, but injuries have been an issue. Catcher Miguel Montero and outfielder Conor Jackson are on the disabled list while third baseman Mary Reynolds is playing through a tender quadriceps muscle.
After seeing its bullpen go through the wringer – it was responsible for Arizona’s loss again Saturday night – it is important for the offense to get an early lead and keep building on it to alleviate the pressure on the relief corps.