Due to his experience gained with the Phillies over the last two seasons, Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee has predicted that right hander Kyle Kendrick as the lead horse in a wide open race for the fifth spot in the World Champion pitching rotation. This should really come to no suprise to most Fightins' fans, Kendrick has been a very important piece to the Phillies NL East champion seasons. After a good start to his career in 2007, posting a 10-4 record and starting game two of the NLDS, his second season was not as great as he hoped. In 2008 he was in 31 games and posted a 11-9 record with an 5.49 ERA, resulting in the Phillies dropping him from the starting rotation. Kendrick was told to work on his change up over the off season so he could compete for the fifth spot in the rotation. When speaking of his change up, Kendrick said, "It's gotten a lot better,I feel comfortable throwing it now..." If Kendrick can improve against left handed hitters, they hit .329 off him last year, and develop that change up into a dependable pitch, it is hard to bet against Kyle Kendrick.
Report by: Billy Donahue
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