3 Pitchers, 1 Night

3 Starting pitchers took the mound for their respective teams in 3 separate MLB games Friday and the results may be telling about the future of the Phillies' season:

1) Barry Zito for S.F., 2) Cliff Lee for Seattle and 3) Kyle Kendrick for the Phillies.

1) Stacked Deck:

Barry Zito is off to the best start of his career and with Friday's 8 inning, 2 run win over Colorado improved to 4-0 with a 1.53 ERA. What could that possibly mean to the Phillies, who were playing nearly 3,000 miles away in a different time zone? What Zito means for S.F., if he can maintain anything resembling this pace, is presently the premiere rotation in the NL with Lincecum (2008 & 2009 CY Young, 4-0, 1.27), Cain (1-1, 2.84), Jonathan Sanchez (2-1, 1.85) and Zito (4-0, 1.53). That spells trouble for the competition, especially in a postseason series, where no 5th starter is needed.

2) Remember Me?

Cliff Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner, struck out 8, walked none, went to a three-ball count just twice in 25 batters and threw a first-pitch strike 19 times in his season debut for Seattle. The Phillies who chose to look over their shoulder at their former comrade got a glimpse of the professionalism and control they gave away for a few 2nd-run prospects, a move former Phil and future Hall-of-Famer Curt Schilling called, "The stupidest thing the Phillies have ever done." If the playoffs started today, instead of Halladay-Lee, which they had in their hands, the Phillies rotation would be: Halladay (5-1, 1.47), followed by... Cole Hamels (2-2, 5.28)... ? In short, Friday's season debut was a reminder to Philly fans how much gold the Phils flushed away in Clifton Phifer Lee, last year's postseason superstar and World Series Yankee killer. Remember, whether the Phils' front office wants you to or not, Lee's '09 postseason performance: 5 games, 2 complete, 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA, 33 S.O. and 6 BB.

3) The Case of the Wrong Kyle:

Kyle Kendrick was slaughtered by the Mets Friday for 4 runs in 5 innings ballooning his ERA to 7.61. Curiously, the Phils chose to turn back the clock in re-employing Kendrick as a starter after pulling the plug on him late in '08 and banishing him to the minors for the '09 season. Rather, they could be looking to the future with rising star Kyle Drabek, who they traded this off-season. Drabek dazzled with 5 2/3 innings of scoreless work in his latest minor league start and did not allow a hit until the 4th inning. Drabek struck out 7 and allowed 2 hits to pick up his 3rd win this year. Kyle Kendrick has none.

note: Madson's Postgame Outburst Costly

Madson injured the toe after he blew a save Wednesday in San Francisco. He said he slipped walking down a flight of stairs leading from the dugout to the clubhouse. He then kicked a metal folding chair. He said he felt like he stubbed his toe, but realized it was worse when he woke up Thursday morning and had difficulty walking.