Philly started strong with a win in the series opener, led by a pair of hits and RBI from Adam Haseley in left field. Jake Arietta made a rare quality start, allowing a single run in 5 2/3 innings of work, giving Gabe Kapler something to work with from his rotation. They got two perfect relief innings from Cole Nevin to help put it away, and perhaps now, the team is starting to find their groove.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has a chance to totally turn things around. They do sit six games under .500, but there is a lot of time left. Could they qualify for the postseason? Yes, they could have a chance to do so. Their division is completely open, and if Josh Bell and Kevin Newman could find a way to get it going, watch out. These two guys are sensational.
The moneyline for this contest has the Philadelphia Phillies +105 and the Pittsburgh Pirates -120. The over/under has been set at 11.
Dealing With Injury
Their injury list is just as long as the Yankees list, and it is clear they have missed a number of guys. But Bryce Harper, despite all the slander he has received and the boos that have rained down on him, has been solid. He has been on a tear, and his average is up to .258, with 17 HRs and 69 RBI. This is the productivity that we have grown accustomed to seeing from him, and it is nice to see him performing well despite the wild expectations. Jean Segura has also been coming on of late, as the team has continued to surge.
Zach Eflin will be making his 19th start of the season for the Phillies tonight. He has posted a 7-9 record with a 4.16 ERA this season, striking out 88 and walking 27. He has fired two complete games and is one of three Phillies pitchers with over 100 innings of work.
Pirates’ Bright Spot
While they have not been winning too much, the Pirates do have one of the most dominant players in baseball. Josh Bell has 27 long balls and has driven in 84 runs. Kevin Newman is batting .331 and has been on a tear of late. Colin Moran and Starling Marte have both been performing admirably as well. They lack top-level pitching in their rotation but do have a fantastic closer in Felipe Vasquez. It is too bad they don’t have too many other consistent arms. If they are thinking playoffs, they need to bring a pitcher in at the deadline who can provide quality starts.
Trevor Williams will be making his 14th start of the year tonight. He has struggled, posting a 5.13 ERA in 76 2/3 innings of work. He is 3-3 with 61 strikeouts and 16 walks.
Phillies Pick Up Another W
The 72nd win of the season for the Phillies is coming! They will come away victorious for the second straight game in the series. They will be led by Bryce as they win once more.
Free Play: PHI +105
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.