Philadelphia @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 7, 2013 ) Philadelphia 4, Milwaukee 5

The Philadelphia Phillies are being fueled by strong starting pitching and a group of unexpected offensive performers, though the bullpen and defense have not been as strong. The Phillies will be looking to get everything straightened out and bounce back when they visit the Milwaukee Brewers again on Saturday. The Brewers overcame a four-run deficit and got a walk-off hit from Aramis Ramirez to even the four-game series on Friday.

Milwaukee has won only two of its last nine home games but got some clutch hits from Jean Segura and Ramirez in overcoming the deficit in the series opener. The Brewers have won just one series since the end of April - taking two of three at Philadelphia last weekend - and are hoping to victimize the Phillies again. Philadelphia has gotten production from Erik Kratz and John Mayberry Jr. in the first two games of the series, but Domonic Brown has been held without a home run.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (6-3, 3.12 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Tom Gorzelanny (1-0, 2.01)

Kendrick has won back-to-back starts and held the Miami Marlins to two runs on six hits in a complete-game victory on Monday. The right-hander has surrendered two or fewer earned runs in nine of his 12 outings. Kendrick is just 1-3 despite a 3.38 ERA in seven career games (four starts) against the Brewers.

Gorzelanny is being plucked from the bullpen to make a spot start in place of injured right-hander Marco Estrada. Gorzelanny came up as a starter with Pittsburgh and has gone 35-42 with a 4.61 ERA in that role in his career. The veteran left-hander came out of the bullpen twice last weekend at Philadelphia for a total of two scoreless innings and is 3-1 with a 2.41 ERA in 15 career games (four starts) against the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brown has not gone three straight games without a homer since May 21-24.

2. Milwaukee RHP Francisco Rodriguez has allowed one run and four hits in 9 1/3 innings spanning 10 appearances since joining the team last month.

3. Philadelphia’s regular leadoff hitter - OF Ben Revere - has been kept out of the starting lineup in each of the first two games of the series, yielding the top spot in the batting order to veteran 3B Michael Young.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Brewers 4