Defending Kyle Kendrick: Last Night's Hero Has Been Effective Spot Starter

Phillies fans don't like Kyle Kendrick.  In fact, I regularly shake my head at our friend Stephen Gallo's regular anti-Kendrick tweets.    Last night he was positive:

Why is it that our friend Steve and so many others have such deep-seated hate for our dear Kyle?  Looking back to 2007 when Kendrick burst onto the scene he has won 10 or more games three times.  He has started 98 games and pitched in 38 in relief.

This season, his relief appearances have not been great, but often he has come into the game in situations other than this role: starters are not getting knocked out early often to require the use of a long reliever.  He has ended up pitching in games where the late-inning relievers have already screwed up and he is entering a mess.

Maybe the Phillies fans remember that Kendrick pitched in the bullpen for five losses.  But hopefully last night opened the eyes of Phillies fans so that they can be as positive as Steve was yesterday.

Let's take a look at Kendrick's last eight starts, none of which were really as a regular member of the starting rotation.

5/16/12  at Cubs             6.0 IP     1 ER   (W)

5/4/12   at Nationals        5.0 IP     1 ER       

4/29/12  vs. Cubs            6.0 IP     2 ER   (L)

4/23/12  at Arizona          3.0 IP     7 ER   (L)

9/15/11  vs. Nats            6.0 IP     0 ER

9/15/11  vs. Marlins         5.0 IP     1 ER    (W)

8/24/11  vs. Mets            4.0 IP     2 ER    (L)

8/19/11  at Nats             6.0 IP     2 ER

8/2/11   at Rockies          8.0 IP     0 ER     (W)

Total                        49.0 IP   16 ER    2.94 ERA 

If you wish to go back further, you'll see that in Kendrick's last 13 starts, his ERA is under 3.  That is not bad for a spot starter.

What more would you want of your long-man and spot starter?  I am not saying that Kendrick is an ace, or even close.  But for the role that Kendrick holds, he has been good.  Let's remember that.

Comments

[Bob Loblaw]

9/15/11 was a hell of a day for Kyle.

[Ian Case]

Kendrick isn't bad, its just that it always seems to be that he'll have 3 or 4 good starts in a row, and everyone starts to believe that maybe THIS TIME he's turned the page, got his command down, tweaked his motion or something... and then the next start he gives up 6ER over 4 innings and you're like ... fffffuuuuuuuuuu!

[Frank Klose]

Good point, Ian. It's hard to keep the greater picture in perspective during those clunkers, when we are not used to Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, or Cole Hamels having them.

[Laurie Dougherty]

Ian is right. KK will have a few great outings then when you think he's turning the corner he blows up. But he's done well this year and last for what he's been asked to do. That game he had in Colorado was tremendous!