After a devastating four game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, in which the Phillies failed to win a single game, the Fightins head south to San Diego for a three game weekend series with the last place Padres.

The Phils are coming off probably their worst series all year. They played poorly in every aspect of their game, hitting, pitching, relief pitching, and coaching. Now they face a Padres team that has struggled mightily this year, but has shown in the past that they can be a very good team.

The Phillies start out Friday with Jamie Moyer (10-7, 3.81) on the mound against future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux (6-8, 4.12). Maddux has won his last three starts, allowing just two runs over six innings in his last time out.

Moyer is also coming off a quality outing, allowing three runs or less in each of his last 12 starts dating back to June 1, something not done by a Phillies’ pitcher since 1967. Moyer has been a beacon of consistency on one of the most inconsistent teams in baseball.

Kyle Kendrick (10-6, 4.74) takes the mound Saturday for the Phillies against a pitcher still to be announced for San Diego. Chris Young was scheduled to pitch for the Padres but has since been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strain in his right forearm.

Kendrick was blown out by the Dodgers on Monday, giving up a career high seven runs in just 3 1/3 innings, his second shortest outing. Kendrick loaded the bases twice, once in the third inning which led to six runs, and once in the fourth inning. He has sandwiched three very good outings in between two seven run disasters, the first coming in a game against the Marlins on July 19. He has faced San Diego one time in his career and gave up one run over six innings.

The series finale on Sunday pits Cole Hamels (9-8, 3.32) against Cha Seung Baek (4-7, 5.20). Baek pitched well in his last outing against the Milwaukee Brewers but gave up three runs on a single pitch to Prince Fielder. He gave up four runs over six innings, including an inherited run given up by the bullpen. He’s allowed four runs in three of his last four starts.

Hamels has not won a game since July 3, and has pitched beautifully during most of that span. He continues to be a victim of the Phillies’ embarrassing inability to score any runs. He has seven no decisions in a row following Tuesday’s blown win in the ninth inning by the Phillies’ bullpen. The Phillies are 14-11 in Hamels’ 25 starts this season.

After an embarrassing week against the Dodgers, including some ridiculous bad mouthing of the fans by shortstop Jimmy Rollins, and the loss of first place to the Mets, the Phillies need to man up and sweep the Padres. This team has played junk baseball since June and it appears to be finally catching up with them. The Mets and the Marlins are both mediocre teams and the Phillies can still win the division, but they are going to have to turn things around and quick if that’s to happen.