Series Preview: Steaming hot Phillies kick off a 3-game set tonight with the Arizona Diamondbacks

The red-hot Phillies are back at Citizens Bank Park tonight, as they welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to town for a 3-game series.
Kyle Gibson (3-2, 4.40 ERA) takes the hill for the Phillies, going up against the lethal arm of Zac Gallen (4-1, 2.40 ERA) for the Diamondbacks.
The Phillies are the hottest team in baseball. The team has now won seven in a row, playing with all of the confidence in the world. The veterans are hitting, the young guys are hitting, the pitchers are throwing strikes, and the manager is the best coach in baseball history. What a time to be alive.
The Phils are coming off a massive sweep against the first-place Milwaukee Brewers, after grinding out an 8-3 win yesterday against Corbin Burnes, thanks to homers by Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Odubel Herrera.
The Fightin’s will now turn their focus to this weekend, as the Arizona Diamondbacks come to town. It’s a beautiful weekend for baseball, but an even better weekend for the Phillies to sweep another team.
FOX Bet Odds Boosts
- Zac Gallen and Kyle Gibson BOTH UNDER 2.5 Earned Runs +250
- Bryce Harper 3+ Hits +1400
- Hoskins or Schwarber HR and Phillies WIN +275
I said it yesterday, and I’ll say it again.
June Schwarber is the greatest baseball player in the history of the game.
Although we only need one of Hoskins/Schwarber, I do think both of them go yard tonight.
Final Pick: Hoskins or Schwarber HR and Phillies WIN +275
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Series Pitching Matchups
- Friday (7:05): Kyle Gibson vs Zac Gallen
- Saturday (4:05): Zack Wheeler vs Madison Bumgarner
- Sunday (1:35): Ranger Suarez vs Undecided
Kyle Gibson vs Zac Gallen
Kyle Gibson gets the ball for the Phillies tonight, making his 12th start of the season. Gibson is 3-1 in CBP this year with a 3.48 ERA and 31 Ks but is coming off a tough last start where he allowed five earned runs to the Angels. Zac Gallen gets the ball for the Angels, who has been fantastic on the mound this season. He’s 2-1 on the road, with a 2.11 ERA and 15 strikeouts in four road starts.
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Will the Phillies Ever Lose Again?
I truly don’t think so. The Phillies are 6-0 under Rob Thomson, are on a 7-game winning streak, and have scored 53 runs over that span. Bryce Harper is the hottest hitter in baseball, the starting rotation is throwing lights out, and even the bullpen is getting the job done on the nights where they’re needed.
I never thought a simple change of leadership could do this much to a ballclub, but here we are. The Phils have a real chance to jump up in the standings over the next week, with their upcoming opponents being the Marlins and Nationals after this series. They currently sit 9 back of the Mets in the NL East, but just 2.5 games back in the Wild Card.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are a weird baseball team. They’re not a flashy team, but they just know how to grind out wins. Ketel Marte is leading the team with a .272 average, while Christian Walker leads the way with 15 HRs and 28 RBIs. Merrill Kelly has been the star on the mound for Arizona this year, leading the team in wins, ERA, and strikeouts.
The Diamondbacks are 28-31 on the season, with a -42 run differential. They trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by 10 games in the NL West but sit just 3.5 games back of the last Wild Card spot.
Game 1 Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
Diamondbacks | +1.5 (-164) | +128 | O8.5 (-120) |
Phillies | -1.5 (+136) | -152 | U8.5 (-102) |
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Phillies Starting Lineup
Lineup Notes: Didi Gregorius moves up to the 5-hole. Odubel Herrera gets the nod in centerfield, with Bryson Stott at second base. Garrett Stubbs is behind the plate, giving JT Realmuto a night off.
Prediction
Phils win a tough one tonight, late in the game. 5-3 final.
- Series Prediction: Phils SWEEP
- Series MVP: Rhys Hoskins