In this article, we will formulate an Athletics vs Phillies prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 23, at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview
The Philadelphia Phillies (32-18, 15-10 Away) are experiencing their best form of the season after winning the previous seven games. The Phillies also didn’t lose a series in a month, and they are coming to Sacramento after sweeping the Pirates and Rockies. In the latest 2-0 victory in Colorado, Ranger Suarez got the win after allowing no runs on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks across 6.2 innings of work.
This year, the Phillies average 4.86 runs per game (6th in the MLB) on a .263/.343/.472 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Phillies’ staff has a 3.71 ERA (11th) and 1.23 WHIP (13th). Kyle Schwarber leads the Phillies with a .256 batting average, 17 home runs, and 37 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Phillies is Zack Wheeler, who is 5-1 in ten starts this season, with a 2.67 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 64.0 innings.
Athletics Betting Preview
The Athletics (22-29, 8-17 Home) are going through their worst stretch of the season, as they have lost nine consecutive games. In the last two series, the Athletics were swept by the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels. In last night’s 10-5 defeat to the Angels, Brent Rooker led the offense with two RBI, while Luis Severino pitched for 6.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Grant Holman took the loss.
This season, the Athletics average 4.25 runs per game (17th in the MLB) on a .254/.318/.417 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Athletics’ staff has a 5.33 ERA (27th) and 1.50 WHIP (28th). Tyler Soderstrom leads the Athletics with a .281 batting average, ten home runs, and 30 RBI this season.
Jeffrey Springs will take the mound for the Athletics on Friday. The 32-year-old left-hander has a 5-3 record in ten starts this year with a 3.91 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 53.0 innings.
Why the Phillies will beat the Athletics
- The Athletics have lost each of their last nine games.
- The Phillies have won each of their last eight night games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Phillies have covered the run line in each of their last seven games.
- The Athletics have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five home games.
- The Athletics have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last eight Friday games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Athletics have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six night games.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Athletics’ last five games as home underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Six of the Phillies’ last eight games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Athletics’ last nine home games against NL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Phillies’ last six night games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Athletics rank 29th in the league for runs allowed this season (291).
- The Athletics rank 4th in the league for strikeouts against this season (377).
- The Phillies rank 3rd in the league for batting average this season (.263).
- The Phillies rank 3rd in the league for on-base percentage this season (.338).
Athletics vs Phillies Prediction
The Phillies won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, including four of the last six. Even though Jeffrey Springs is the best starter the A’s have at the moment, I am backing the Phillies and Zack Wheeler in this one. Wheeler allowed a .182 BA in 33 at-bats against the A’s, while he posted seven consecutive quality starts and surrendered no runs in the last two. Springs has been excellent of late, allowing just four runs in his previous four starts, but the Phillies are very good against southpaws this year, with a .287 BA (19 home runs and 73 RBI) in 523 at-bats. Don’t expect to see a lot of runs, but I am going with the Phillies to open this series with a W.