In our last PBP, I predicted that the Atlanta Braves, with their rookie sensation AJ Smith-Shawver, would triumph over our beloved Phillies, with staff ace Aaron Nola on the mound. Wednesday’s game was rained out, and for Thursday’s contest, the Phillies had Nola pitch while the Braves kept their pitching rotation intact and sent Bryce Elder to the mound. A pitching duel erupted, and the Braves broke a scoreless tie in the first frame of extra innings, putting a crooked five on the scoreboard. The Phillies managed one run in their bottom half, fell 5-1, and lost both games against the NL East-leading Braves.
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Mets (-105) vs Phillies (-115) O/U 9.5
The hated New York Mets visit Citizens Bank Ballpark for a 3-game set starting Friday night. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Taking the mound for the Mets in his 14th start of the season is RHP Kodai Senga, boasting a record of 6-4 and a 3.53 ERA with 87 strikeouts in 71 1/3 innings pitched. In his most recent outing against the St. Louis Cardinals, the right-hander lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits. Throughout the season, the 30-year-old has maintained an ERA of 3.53 and an impressive 11 strikeouts per nine innings in 13 games. Opponents have struggled against him, hitting just .204. Senga has accumulated five quality starts and is aiming for his third consecutive outing lasting five or more innings, averaging 5.5 innings per start. He has also held his opponents to zero earned runs in three appearances.
The New York Mets’ batting statistics reveal their current standing in Major League Baseball. With 88 home runs to their credit, they rank 12th in the league, averaging 1.2 per game. Their slugging percentage of .397 places them 19th in the majors, while their batting average ranks 19th overall at .240. In terms of total, runs scored, the Mets’ offense holds the 14th spot with 337 runs, averaging 4.6 runs per game. Their on-base percentage is .320, positioning them at 15th in the majors.
The Phillies counter with RHP Taijuan Walker, who holds a record of 7-3 with a 4.31 ERA. This will be his 16th start of the season, and he has accumulated 66 strikeouts in 77 1/3 innings pitched. In his last appearance against the Oakland Athletics, Walker delivered a solid performance, pitching eight innings and allowing just one earned run on seven hits. He aims to secure his eighth quality start of the year and extend his streak of pitching five or more innings, as he has done in his last four games with an average of 5.1 innings per outing. Walker has also showcased his ability to keep opponents scoreless in three appearances this season.
The Phillies are 21st in the league with 78 home runs. Their slugging percentage of .415 places them at the 11th spot in Major League Baseball. Regarding team batting average, they rank ninth overall with a .257 average. Throughout the season, the Phils have scored 323 runs, averaging 4.4 runs per game, positioning them at the 19th spot in the league. With an on-base percentage of .321, they rank 13th in the league. It is worth noting that the Phillies have a higher strikeout rate, averaging 9.2 strikeouts per game, placing them 23rd in MLB. The Philadelphia Phillies’ offense ranks 10th in the league with 654 total hits and a .257 batting average. They have achieved a collective slugging percentage of .415, placing them 11th in MLB, and have hit 78 home runs, ranking them 21st in the league.
The Wager
Both teams come in limping, but these teams have flipped places since the last time they met. Walker, in particular, is pitching much better than he was in May. I think the Phillies are going to win a low-scoring affair.
Bets and Season Record
Pick:Â Phillies ML -115 3 UNITS
Pick: Mets-Phillies UNDER 9.5 -110 3 UNITS
Season Record:
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