Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 2, 2010 ) Philadelphia 0, Pittsburgh 2
One can forgive Paul Maholm if he's openly licking his chops right now.
After all, the Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander has watched three of his mates notch their first wins of the season in as many days.
Maholm (5-6, 3.98 ERA) doesn't have that cross to bear, but the 28-year-old is next in line to face a shorthanded Philadelphia Phillies squad which has mustered just five runs in their last three games.
The National League cellar-dwelling Pirates (29-51) will vie for a season-best four-game winning streak when they continue their four-game set against the Phillies (41-37) on Saturday.
The eighth overall pick of the 2003 draft, Maholm has posted a 3-1 mark with a 3.29 ERA in six career starts against Philadelphia.
As for recent history, the hurler rebounded from a career-worst one-inning outing to become the first Pirates starter to pitch eight frames this season. He allowed one run and seven hits en route to a 2-1 triumph over the Chicago Cubs on Monday.
Maholm will look to follow the strong performances of Brad Lincoln and Ross Ohlendorf. On Thursday, the 27-year-old Ohlendorf pitched seven strong innings as Pittsburgh posted a 2-0 triumph over Philadelphia.
Andy LaRoche singled in Andrew McCutchen and Ryan Doumit also came around to score on Jamie Moyer's fielding error in the fourth inning.
The modest offense was enough to net Ohlendorf his first victory since he defeated the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 18, 2009.
Philadelphia will counter with right-hander Kyle Kendrick (4-3, 4.88 ERA) on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Texan has struggled of late - posting a 6.04 ERA in his last four starts. In his last outing, he permitted six runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings in a 7-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
With J.A. Happ working his way through several rehabilitation starts, Kendrick's days in the starting rotation are most likely numbered.
The Phillies will need to find some offense to avoid a fifth loss in sixth game.
Healthy sluggers Jayson Werth and Ryan Howard combined to go 1-for-7 with four strikeouts in Friday's loss.
As for backup catcher Brian Schneider, he is not expected to become the eighth Phillie on the disabled list as he nurses hyperextended his left thumb.
Four-time All-Star second baseman Chase Utley (thumb) and veteran infielder Placido Polanco (elbow) were the latest stars to hit the disabled list. Utley is expected to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, while Polanco could be out for 3-4 weeks.