Can The Reds Build Off Three-Game Sweep Of Angels?
Majority Of Phillies vs Reds Head to Head Matchups Will Favor Philadelphia
Two of the best teams in the National League will duel it out in a four-game series to begin the week.
The Philadelphia Phillies will travel to Cincinnati with a 14-8 record. After winning six straight games, the Phillies are tied for the most wins in the National League with 14. On the other hand, the Reds are 6-4 in their last ten games and have won three consecutive games coming into this series.
With four games in the series, we’ve got a lot to cover.
Check out the at the Phillies vs Reds head to head odds for this exciting four-game series.
Philadelphia Phillies (14-8), Cincinnati Reds (12-9) 
Date, time:
Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Oh
The Phillies Are Sizzling Hot
Philadelphia is heading back on the road after an 8-2 homestand featuring sweeps of the White Sox and Rockies. While all that is super impressive, the Phillies ganged up on some of the worst teams in the MLB.
They were supposed to sweep the White Sox and Rockies. Ultimately, the White Sox will likely finish the regular season with the worst record in the AL, and the Rockies will probably be the worst team in the NL this season.
We’ll see if they can stay red hot against a Reds team above .500 with playoff aspirations.
Cincinnati’s Bullpen Depth Deserves Credit
The Reds started Frankie Montas for yesterday’s series finale against the Angels. But he took a line drive off his right arm and was forced to leave the game due to a forearm bruise.
Despite Montas leaving the game, the Angels’ bullpen held down the game and helped Cincinnati earn a 3-0 win. You typically don’t see these types of MLB scores when a starter leaves the game in the first inning. But the Reds earned the shutout behind Brent Suter, Emilio Pagan, Fernando Cruz, Lucas Sims, and Alexis Diaz.
The bullpen has been much better than the season. However, the Reds won’t get any breaks before this four-game series. Therefore, the bullpen that deserves a lot of credit will also be very fatigued heading into this series.
Phillies vs Reds Head to Head Odds For Game 1:
- RL: Phillies -1.5 (+135) ML: Phillies -119, O/U 9 -110/-110.
Game 1
Monday, 6:40 pm ET
Ranger Suarez vs Hunter Greene
The Phillies will begin the series with Ranger Suarez. He’s a lefty but won’t be the only lefty to face the Reds in this series.
Suarez has been excellent to begin the season. He’s posted a 1.73 ERA and has held teams to a .078 ISO and wOBA of .216, with 63.5% ground balls, 28.4% strikeouts, and just 4.2% walks.
On the other hand, the Reds haven’t had much success against lefties. Spencer Steer has been the main contributor since last season. But Jonathan India, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Elly De La Cruz have all struggled against lefties since last year despite batting from the right side.
With the offense likely to struggle in Game 1 due to poor MLB stats against lefties, the Reds will ride Hunter Greene in Game 1. He’s struck out 32.6% of batters this season, but he’s also walked 9.8% of batters and given up a wOBA of .315. That said, Greene has been super efficient against righties. He’s just had some trouble with lefties.
Philadelphia’s projected lineup against righties has hit a .180 ISO and wOBA of .337 with 23% of strikeouts since last year. It’s not the most elite lineup, but Philadelphia still has six batters hitting an ISO of .172 or better and a wOBA of .313 or better since last season.
Consider backing the Phillies at -119 for Game 1 of the series. The Phillies have enough lefties to score runs against Greene and win this game.
Game 2
Tuesday, 6:40 pm ET
Cristopher Sanchez vs Andrew Abbott
The other lefty in this series for the Phillies will be Cristopher Sanchez. Sanchez has been just as electric as Suarez, too. He’s got a 2.53 ERA and has allowed just a .048 ISO and wOBA of .270 with 62.7% of ground balls. Sanchez has also added 27.2% of strikeouts and only 8.7% of walks.
Again, the Reds don’t have ideal numbers against lefties.
Cincinnati’s pitcher on Tuesday will be Andrew Abbott. He’s a young left-handed hurler who has given up a .242 ISO and wOBA of .323 to his first 73 righties faced.
While Philadelphia is dangerous against righties, they’ve got more potential against lefties. Guys like J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm have absolutely destroyed left-handed pitching as right-handed batters. Meanwhile, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper typically hit either side of the plate. It’s a dangerous lineup for Abbott to navigate.
Game 3
Wednesday, 6:40 pm ET
Spencer Turnbull vs Nick Lodolo
In the third Phillies vs Reds head to head matchup, the Phillies will pitch Spencer Turnbull. This is his first season with the Phillies, but he’s also been excellent. He’s got a 1.23 ERA and has held teams to a .091 ISO and wOBA of .202. The Philadelphia pitching staff has common themes. They’ve all been tremendous to begin the season. Turnbull, as the No. 5 pitcher, has ridiculous stats.
Cincinnati will be happy to finally face a righty on Wednesday. The Reds’ projected lineup against righties has smashed a 215 ISO and wOBA of .350. Since last year, the entire team but Luke Maile has hit an ISO of at least .159 and wOBA of at least .334.
Meanwhile, the Reds will give Nick Lodolo another start. He’s already holding a .75 ERA through 46 batters, adding 34.8% strikeouts, a .047 ISO, and a wOBA of .218. Lodolo has also struck out just 2.2% of batters.
The Reds have more potential in Game 3 of this series.
Game 4
Thursday, 1:10 pm ET
Zack Wheeler vs Graham Ashcraft
Finally, Zack Wheeler will get the call for the finale of the series. He had a no-hitter through seven innings in his last start and has a 2.30 ERA to begin the year. While he’s been terrific, he’s 1-3 on the season. The Phillies don’t always score runs at a high rate when he’s pitching. That said, Wheeler’s struggles have come against lefties this season. But he’s still held opponents to a .118 ISO and wOBA of .263 to begin the year.
Although Wheeler has struggled with lefties, he’ll face Graham Ashcraft of the Reds, who has also struggled with lefties. Ashcraft has allowed a .278 ISO and wOBA of .430 to his first 39 lefties.
With both offenses able to line up a bunch of powerful lefties, this game could be a sneaky Over play when the MLB odds are released for this game.
Phillies vs Reds Head to Head
For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
