Series Preview: Phillies return to Citizens Bank Park to take on the 8-5 Milwaukee Brewers
The Phillies are back at the bank this weekend, as they welcome the 8-5 Milwaukee Brewers to town for a three-game set. The Fightins have had a rough start to their season, but look to build off their momentum from the season finale in Colorado.
A weird start to the 2022 Phillies season
The start to the Phillies season has been all over the place. They statistically have one of the best offenses in the league through their first 13 games, when it feels like they have a bottom five. Their defense has struggled, already being ranked among the league’s worst. Alec Bohm said he fucking hated this place (legend), Bryce Harper’s elbow is still banged up, and Zack Wheeler has the worst ERA in the starting rotation.
What the hell is going on?
As Drew Smith and myself like to say…April baseball doesn’t matter, especially when the Sixers are still on and dominating. But the Phillies are going to show everyone who they really are this weekend, and that starts tonight.
FOX Bet Odds Boosts
- 2x Your Money: Freddy Peralta and Ranger Suarez 5 Ks Each +100
- 8x Your Money: Ranger Suarez 8 Ks and Phillies Win +700
- 12x Your Money: Nick Castellanos and Andrew McCutchen 2 Hits Each +1100
- Nick Castellanos HR and Phillies Win +650
The Phillies bats are going to heat up this weekend. Nick Castellanos has been on a tear this season, and that doesn’t stop this weekend. I like Casty to hit a HR and the Phillies win, and Casty and Cutch to both record two hits.
Final Picks:
- 12x Your Money: Nick Castellanos and Andrew McCutchen 2 Hits Each +1100
- Nick Castellanos HR and Phillies Win +650
Series Pitching Matchups
- Friday (7:05 EST): Ranger Suarez (1-0, 5.87 ERA) vs Freddy Peralta (0-1, 11.57 ERA)
- Saturday (4:05 EST): Zack Wheeler (0-2, 9.39 ERA) vs Adrian Houser (0-2, 2.89 ERA)
- Sunday (7:00 EST): Aaron Nola (1-2, 5.52 ERA) vs Eric Lauer (1-0, 3.48 ERA)
Ranger Suarez will get the ball tonight in the series opener, going up against Freddy Peralta. Suarez got roughed around in his first start of the year vs New York but found his game back vs the Marlins last Saturday. He threw 5 innings, allowing just six hits and two earned runs, striking out four. Peralta’s gotten banged up in his first two outings of the year, allowing a total of 9 earned runs, 10 hits, and 6 walks in just 7 innings.
The 2021 Cy-Young runner-up will get the ball on Saturday at 4:05, with Adrian Houser on the other side. Wheeler is off to a horrendous start in 2022, mainly due to him getting zero innings down in Clearwater. Wheeler was still recovering from last season’s heavy workload, and then piled the flu on top of that just two weeks before the season started. Adrian Houser has started off his season with two losses, throwing a total of 9.1 innings, allowing eight hits and three earned runs.
Aaron Nola will take the mound in the series finale on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN. Nola will be making his first start of the year, looking to get back on track after two rough starts against New York and Colorado. Nola’s totaled 14.2 innings this year, allowing 13 hits, 9 earned runs and striking out 16 batters. He’ll face left-hander Eric Lauer, who has allowed 8 hits and 4 earned runs in his first two starts.
Is this the weekend the Phillies’ offense breaks out?
The Phillies’ offense is finally starting to find its footing. They put up 9 runs on 12 hits in the series finale vs Colorado, getting home runs from Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber, Johan Camargo, and Alec Bohm. Nick Castellanos is up to .306 on the year, with a .571 slugging percentage and a .953 OPS. Alec Bohm has continued to impress at the plate, slashing .476/.483/.714 with 10 hits and 7 RBIs in 21 at-bats.
Read more: Phillies green light fanny packs for Citizens Bank Park >>
The Phillies will also be getting a power bat back this weekend. Odubel Herrera has been activated from the 10-Day IL, after spending spring training and the start of the season down in Clearwater with a right oblique strain. Odubel could be in the lineup tonight, with a right-hander on the mound and Vierling still going through some struggles.
Joe Girardi gives an update on Bryce Harper
Joe Girardi was on MLB Network this morning and said he still doesn’t know if Harper can play the field this weekend. Harper has been nursing his elbow over the last few games but staying in the lineup in the DH spot.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have had an odd start to their 2022 season. They currently hold a record of 8-5, but don’t have one player batting over .270 at the plate. They have a combined team average of .208, with just a .639 team OPS. Former Phillie Andrew McCutchen leads the team in hits with 11, while first baseman Rowdy Tellez leads the team in hits.
Their team is headlined by their pitching staff, specifically Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff. Burnes has a 2.37 ERA on the year, with 22 strikeouts, while Woodruff has 13 Ks in 14.2 innings. Luckily, the Phillies will avoid both of these arms this weekend.
Game 1 Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
| Phillies | -1.5 (+164) | -126 | O8 (-110) |
| Brewers | +1.5 (-200) | +108 | U8 (-110) |
Phillies Friday Night Starting Lineup
Prediction
I think the Phillies sweep the Brewers this weekend. The Phillies true 1 and 2 are throwing this weekend in Wheeler and Nola, the bats are hot, and the vibes are immaculate in Philly.
Phillies SWEEP the Brewers.
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