Colorado Rockies (6-15) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (9-12)
April 23, 2023 12:05 pm EDT
The Line: Philadelphia Phillies -294 / Colorado Rockies +215; Over/Under: +8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies meet Sunday in MLB action from Citizens Bank Park. This will be the finale in a four-game weekend series. After a split in the first pair, on Saturday in game three Philadelphia eked out a one-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies managed a 5-0 shutout win in the Thursday opener of this series, then fell 4-3 in game two. In the Saturday game Colorado out-hit the Phillies 8-7 in another close 4-3 defeat. Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland finished with 6.0 innings, four earned, five hits and a walk.
As starter for the Sunday finale the Rockies will go with Jose Urena. Over four starts this year Urena is 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA and nine Ks in 14.2 innings. Urena is 39-65 with a 4.89 ERA in his career over 193 games (137 starts).
Philadelphia Phillies
Over on the Philadelphia side, they were down 3-0 after the first inning Friday but managed to claw back for the win. On Saturday the Phillies got a nice 3-for-4 performance from Nick Castellanos, along with two RBI and two runs. Christopher Sanchez put up 4.1 innings in the start with three earned, five hits and two walks.
It’ll be Zack Wheeler on the mound for the start on Sunday. This year Wheeler is 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA and 23 Ks in 20.2 innings over four starts. Wheeler holds a career record of 75-58 with a 3.44 ERA in 199 starts.
The Rockies are 5-11 in their last 16 Sunday games and 26-61 in their last 87 road games. Colorado is 11-27 in their last 38 road games versus a team with a losing record.
Meanwhile, the Phillies are 25-10 in their last 35 in game four of a series and 24-11 in their last 35 at home. The over is 5-1 in Philadelphia’s last five in game four of a series.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stay with the Phillies. Realistically the line is too thick to mess with, though. Wheeler had a sketchy outing versus the White Sox in his last outing, posting four earned on eight hits over 5.0 innings—he still got the win, though. Wheeler had given up just three earned over his previous 11.1 innings, and he should be able to post a solid start here as well. On Saturday Philly had just enough offense to get the victory. Philadelphia will likely be in line for another victory in this one, but I could see taking Colorado on a value play.
