Series Preview: Phillies host the Los Angeles Dodgers for a 3-game weekend set
The Phillies welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to Citizens Bank Park for a three-game set, kicking off tonight at 7:05. Ranger Suarez (4-1, 3.72 ERA) is set to take the hill for the Phillies, going up against Julio Urias (2-3, 3.00 ERA) of the Dodgers.
The Phils are coming off a tough series at home, where they dropped two of three to the San Diego Padres. The Phillies’ offense tallied just three total runs at home, getting shutout in both losses.
For a team in a home run favored park, the Phillies have struggled to capitalize. They currently hold the best OPS in the league on the road at .791. At Citizens Bank Park? .675, which is good for 18th in the MLB. They’re 13th in average, 13th in RBIs, and 16th in home runs at home. That isn’t going to cut it.
The Phillies were just an inning away from sweeping the Dodgers last weekend out in LA, while slashing .300/.357/.553 in that series, holding a .910 OPS, hitting 8 HRs, 30 RBIs, and scoring a total of 33 runs in four games.
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Series Pitching Matchups
- Friday (7:05 EST): Ranger Suarez vs Julio Urias
- Saturday (6:05 EST): Aaron Nola vs Undecided
- Sunday (1:35 EST): Zach Eflin vs Tony Gonsolin
Tonight: Ranger Suarez vs Julio Urias
Ranger Suarez will take the hill for the Phillies tonight, making his eighth start of the year. His last outing was against the Dodgers out in LA, where he went seven innings strong, allowing just five hits and three earned runs in an 8-3 win. Suarez has totaled 36.1 innings on the year, allowing 37 hits and just 15 earned runs, while striking out 28 batters.
Julio Urias will take the rubber for Los Angeles, looking to bounce back after a rough start out in LA against the Phillies. Urias surrendered five earned runs and eight hits in just six innings, while only striking out three batters. Urias has been great other than that start, totaling 36 innings and just 12 earned runs while striking out 26 players.
Phillies Offense Needs to Bounce Back
This team is built to out-slug everybody. They didn’t do that in the Padres series, and that is the main reason why they got embarrassed for two games in their own stadium. The Phillies as a team hit just .189/.222/.232 vs the Padres, totaling a whopping OPS of .454. They struck out 30 times in three games, hit just one home run, and scored just three runs.
Pitching, the biggest question mark coming into this season, was the least of the team’s issues during the Padres series. Zach Eflin, Zack Wheeler, and Kyle Gibson allowed a combined three earned runs in three games while totaling 18.2 innings altogether. Luckily, we won’t have to see the Dodgers’ top two arms this weekend, with Clayton Kershaw on the IL, and Walker Buehler pitching on Wednesday.
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Injury Updates
Bryce Harper is still out of the lineup tonight, after receiving his elbow treatment on Sunday. There is no word on Harper’s return, as it was rumored to be two days ago. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried.
Here’s the better news: Mickey Moniak is back. The young centerfielder has officially started his rehab process, being assigned to Single-A Clearwater today. I’d expect Moniak to be ready in the majors in two weeks max.
Read more about Mickey’s update here >>
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers currently sit at 25-12 on the year, holding a 1.5 game lead on the San Diego Padres. Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Trae Turner lead the team in hitting lines, while Justin Turner is the RBI leader with 28. Mookie Betts has tallied 8 home runs on the year.
Tonight’s Starting Lineup
Lineup Notes: Schwarber moves back to the 5-hole but stays in the DH spot. Johan Camargo gets the start at shortstop, with Roman Quinn in center and Odubel Herrera in right.
Game 1 Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
| Phillies | +1.5 (-137) | +124 | O9 (+100) |
| Dodgers | -1.5 (+114) | -146 | U9 (-122) |
Series Prediction
The Phillies lucked out with Dodgers pitching this weekend. I think the bats come alive and they take two of three from LA.
Series MVP: Kyle Schwarber
Tonight’s Final Pick: Phils ML +124
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