Colorado Rockies (5-13) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (7-11)
April 20, 2023 6:40 pm EDT
The Line: Philadelphia Phillies -201 / Colorado Rockies +184; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies meet Thursday in MLB action from Citizens Bank Park. The Rockies are fresh off a series versus the Pirates. Colorado lost the first two games in that set, then on Wednesday the Rockies fell in a blowout. As for Philadelphia, they played the White Sox in their last series. The Phillies split the first pair, then in the Wednesday rubber match Philadelphia powered out a three-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies took a 14-3 loss to the Pirates on Monday, then fell again 5-3 on Tuesday. In the Wednesday matchup, Colorado gave up nine runs in the first two innings on the way to a 14-3 loss. The Rockies surrendered 18 hits in the defeat, and starter Austin Gomber lasted just 2.0 innings with nine earned.
For the starter job in the Thursday game, the Rockies will send out Ryan Feltner. In his three starts this year Feltner is 0-2 with an 8.78 ERA and 15 Ks in 13.1 innings. Feltner is 4-12 with a 6.46 ERA in his career over 25 games (24 starts).
Philadelphia Phillies
Over on the Philadelphia side, they beat the White Sox 7-4 in game one but fell 3-0 in the doubleheader nightcap on Tuesday. In the finale, the Phillies took the series with a 5-2 win. Starter Taijuan Walker put up 6.1 innings with two earned on five hits and two walks.
As starter for Thursday’s game, Philadelphia will send out Matt Strahm. This year over four games (three starts), Strahm is 1-1 with a 2.13 ERA and 16 Ks in 12.2 frames. He’s 18-29 with a 3.74 ERA in his career over 211 games (28 starts).
The Rockies are 9-25 in their last 34 overall and 7-19 in their last 26 versus the NL East. Colorado is 2-5 in their last seven Thursday games.
Meanwhile, the Phillies are 23-10 in the last 33 at home and 0-4 in their last four Thursday games. The under is 4-1 in Philly’s last five Thursday games.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll stay with the Phillies here. Strahm has looked pretty good so far this year, despite being a little sketchy in his last outing (2.2 innings; three earned; two hits; three walks in a loss to Cincinnati). In his two starts prior, Strahm had 9.0 combined innings with zero earned, five hits and two walks. On Wednesday the Phillies notched nine team hits but fell off after the fourth inning. Fortunately, the pitching staff kept Chicago in check during the win. I like another good performance on the mound in this opener.
