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Phillies Go For Second Straight Win Vs. Nationals

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – After taking a 6-3 decision over Washington in the opener of this three game series, the Phillies will give the ball to Kyle Kendrick tonight as they look for a second straight win over the National league East leaders.

The Phillies are 78-76 on the season and still mathematically alive in the postseason race.  They are 5 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the second wildcard, but with just eight games left to play, the chances of a sixth straight postseason in Philadelphia are remote at best.

As for Kendrick, he is 10-11 on the season and he has been very good down the stretch.  The right-hander is 5-2 in his last seven starts with a 2.17 ERA.

The Nationals will counter with lefty John Lannan who has struggled against the Phillies to say the least in his career.  He is 2-12 in 17 career starts against the Fightins' with a 5.79 ERA.  Lannan has made just four starts overall here in 2012, going 3-0.

The Phillies line-up for this one is posted and it includes Darin Ruf for a second straight night:

1. Rollins       SS
2. Mayberry  CF
3. Utley  2B
4. Howard  1B
5. Ruiz  C
6. Brown  RF
7. Ruf   LF
8. Frandsen  3B
9. Kendrick  P

KYW's Matt Leon spoke with Corey Seidman of PhilliesNation about tonight's game.

LISTEN: Matt Leon interviews Corey Seidman

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.

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