The San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies meet on Tuesday in MLB action from Citizens Bank Park. This will be the second installment in a four-game series. Here’s a Phillies vs Giants prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Phillies vs Giants pick.
San Francisco Giants Betting Preview
The Giants started the year out great, bagging wins in two of three games versus the Cincinnati Reds, then sweeping the Houston Astros in three games. San Francisco kept it up with another three-game sweep versus the Seattle Mariners but then lost two of three to the Reds in the rematch early this month. The Giants beat the New York Yankees 9-1 on Friday, then fell 8-4 in game two. In that one, Wilmer Flores bagged two hits, a homer, and all four RBI. Starter Jordan Hicks had a rough day on 4.0 innings, seven earned, eight hits and three walks. In the Sunday rubber match, the Giants scored three runs in the sixth inning on the way to a tight 5-4 victory. San Francisco’s Jung Hoo Lee led the way with two home runs and four RBI. Logan Webb lasted 5.0 innings with three earned runs as a starter.
On Monday versus Philly, San Francisco bagged 12 team hits in a 10-4 win, scoring six runs in the second inning alone along the way. Mike Yastrzemski posted three RBI with a homer, two hits, and two runs. Starting pitcher Landen Roupp put up 5.0 innings with four earned runs on six hits and three walks alongside eight strikeouts.
For the starting pitcher gig on Tuesday, the Giants are going with Justin Verlander. This year, Verlander has a 6.92 ERA in three starts over 13.0 innings without a decision. In his career, Verlander is 262-147 with a 3.31 ERA in 529 total starts.
Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview
Over on the Phillies’ side, they opened up with a series victory over the Washington Nationals, taking two of three games. Philly would then sweep the Colorado Rockies and then take two of three versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. Philadelphia lost two of three games against the Atlanta Braves last week and then split the first pair versus the St. Louis Cardinals. In the Sunday finale versus the Cards, the Phillies were out-hit 10-3 in a 7-0 shutout loss. Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler put up 6.0 innings with four earned on seven hits and a walk.
On Monday, Philadelphia got a home run, two RBIs, and two hits from Nick Castellanos. Max Kepler added two hits and an RBI of his own. Taijuan Walker went 5.0 innings in the start with four earned on six hits and a walk.
As a starter for Tuesday, Philly will send out Jesus Luzardo. In three starts this year, Luzardo is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in 18.0 total innings. Luzardo is 28-34 in his MLB career with a 4.19 ERA over 108 games (92 starts). He’s got a pair of saves during that time as well.
Why the Philadelphia Phillies will win
- The Phillies have won each of their last 10 home games against National League opponents following a home loss.
- The Giants have lost four of their last five games at Citizens Bank Park.
- The Phillies have covered the run line in five of their last six games as home favorites against National League opponents following a loss.
- The Giants have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Giants have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games as road underdogs against NL East opponents.
- The Phillies have led after 5 innings in 12 of their last 14 night games at Citizens Bank Park against NL West opponents.
- The Phillies have won the first inning in five of their last six home games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
Why the San Francisco Giants will win
- The Giants have won eight of their last 10 games as underdogs after playing the previous day.
- The Phillies have lost three of their last four games as favorites.
- The Phillies have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 night games against NL West opponents following a home loss.
- The Giants have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 road games.
- The Giants have led after 3 innings in seven of their last eight night games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Giants have led after 5 innings in 10 of their last 11 road night games.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Phillies’ last eight games as favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Eight of the Giants’ last nine road games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Giants’ last five road games.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Phillies’ last four home games.
Phillies vs Giants Prediction
I’ll lean toward Philly. Luzardo has looked pretty good over his first three starts. He’s given up just three earned runs in 18.0 total innings on 13 hits and five walks. In his latest start on April 10 versus Atlanta, Luzardo gave up just one earned on six hits and a walk over 6.0 innings for a no-decision. As for Verlander, he hasn’t exactly looked like himself so far this year. His first start wasn’t bad (5.0 innings; two earned), but since then, Verlander has surrendered eight earned over 8.0 innings on 10 hits and five walks over two starts.
Philadelphia didn’t play great on Monday in the opener, quickly blowing a 3-0 lead after the first inning. The Phillies had some bullpen trouble in that one, but if they can avoid the blowups, Philadelphia should be able to bounce back in game two.