The Philadelphia Phillies return to Citizens Bank Park after a brutal 6-game road stretch to open up the 2023 season, welcoming the Cincinatti Reds to town for a 3-game set.

Zack Wheeler (0-1, 8.31 ERA) will make his second start of the year for the Phils, going up against Hunter Greene (0-0, 8.10 ERA).

It hasn’t been a pretty start for the Phillies. Going 1-5 in their first six games, they’ve lacked consistency, which is something they really started to find towards the end of last season. They’ve combined for 14 runs in their five losses and have played some pretty shaky defense all around the diamond, topped off by some questionable bullpen decisions from manager Rob Thomson.

Darick Hall was just officially placed on the 10-day IL with a right thumb sprain (retro to 4/6). Kody Clemens gets the call-up from Triple-A, with the Phillies now in need of another left-handed bat. He will start today’s game at first base.

Read more: New food at Citizens Bank Park >>

Nobody’s saying the Phillies would’ve started 6-0. but it’s pretty crazy that the defending NL Champs start their season off with six games on the road. Alas, here we are, back at the Bank for the next seven games vs. the Reds and the Marlins, which is a great chance for the Phillies to make up some ground.

Along with the easy schedule ahead, there have been positives for the Phillies. Trea Turner is playing exactly how Trea Turner always plays, slashing .370/.393/.556 with ten hits, two runs scored, one double, two triples, and two RBIs.

Bryson Stott has gotten off to a hot start on the season, hitting .435/.458/.565 in 23 ABs, logging ten hits and three doubles, good for a 1.024 OPS. Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh have also hit the ball hard so far, both tallying a 1.000+ OPS.

Hunter Greene vs. Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler will make his second start of the season for the Phillies, looking for a bounceback from Game 2, where he lasted just four and a third. Wheeler threw 94 pitches (55 strikes), allowing seven hits, four earned runs, and one walk while striking out seven. Wheeler has always been a home pitcher, logging a 1.85 ERA at The Bank in 2022 compared to a 3.84 on the road.

The Reds will send Hunter Greene to the mound after getting knocked around on March 30th in a 5-4 loss to the Pirates. Greene went just three and a third, allowing five hits and three earned runs, walking three batters and striking out eight. Greene logged a 4.44 ERA in 24 starts last season with a 4.21 on the road.

IMPORTANT GAME NOTES

If you’re heading down to Citizens Bank Park this week, there are a few changes to some rules down at CBP, including parking, bags, and more. Give it a look.

Phillies baseball is BACK at the Bank!

Here's what you need to know before coming to this afternoon's game against the Reds: https://t.co/2lQ1tDbkUI pic.twitter.com/xEEzYvhDN6

— Citizens Bank Park (@PhilliesCBP) April 7, 2023

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The Boys Are Back In Town

📺: @NBCPhiladelphia
📻: @SportsRadioWIP
📱: https://t.co/HhDxScbmEV pic.twitter.com/2IMjJdSWM3

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 7, 2023

Reds @ Phillies Game Odds

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Prediction and Best Bets

• Phillies -1.5 (+112)
• Phils TT Over 4 (-122)
• Trea Turner 2+ Hits (+165)
• Kyle Schwarber HR (+285)
• Zack Wheeler 7+ Ks (-192)
• Phils 1H Run Line -0.5 (-128)

I like the Phillies all the way up to -2.5 today. I think the bats have a field day on Greene, and Zack Wheeler does enough to stay in the game for at least six. Phillies 8, Reds 2.

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