Giants vs Phillies Preview: Decent Pitching Matchups
Philadelphia With One of Best Records in MLB
The San Francisco Giants (15-17) visit Philadelphia (21-11) for a four-game series beginning Friday. The Giants are 4.5 games behind Los Angeles in the NL West. The Phillies trail the Braves by a half-game in the NL East despite having the second-best record in baseball. San Francisco has struggled on the road with a 6-10 record, while the Phillies have been solid home and away. The Giants vs Phillies preview is showing Jordan Hicks and Aaron Nola as the starters on Friday. Philadelphia is favored -148. The total is 8-under (-130) and the run line has the Phillies at -1.5 (+135).
The Giants are No. 17 in team batting with a .238 average and are tied at No. 20 in scoring. San Francisco is averaging 3.8 runs per game but is in a bit of a scoring slump. The Giants haven’t scored more than three runs in their last seven games.
The pitching has struggled especially the bullpen. The starters have done a pretty solid job, but the bullpen has an ERA of 5.43 and is equally as bad at home as on the road. San Francisco’s fortunes look to be tied to how long their starters can go.
Philadelphia is hitting the ball well, ranking No. 5 in team batting average and scoring 4.7 runs per game. The Phillies rank No. 3 in home runs, which helps the cause.
Philadelphia ranks No. 6 in team ERA, but are also dependent on its starters going deep into the game. The Phillies’ bullpen has an ERA of 5.29 and that balloons up to 7.16 at home. Philadelphia is tied at No. 6 with 10 saves out of 16 opportunities.
Giants vs Phillies 
Records: Philadelphia Phillies (21-11) vs San Francisco Giants (14-17)
Location: Citizens Bank Park
Day/Time: Streaming: Apple TV+
Friday’s Game
Hicks has been solid for the Giants, going 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA. His problem is that he only throws 5 to 6 innings, which puts the game in the hands of the relievers. San Francisco has lost his last three starts, despite him not allowing more than two runs. The Giants are 3-3 overall when they send him to the mound. San Francisco did call up one of their MLB top prospects in relief pitcher Randy Rodriguez to try and help the bullpen.
The Phillies are 5-1 when Nola starts this season. He has a 4-1 record with a 3.53 ERA. Nola has helped himself by pitching seven or more innings in his last three starts. He’s also had some pretty good run support his last two trips to the mound.
The MLB score predictions are calling for a low-scoring contest here. That’s evident in the total. So far this season, totals of 7 or less have gone 9-13-3. Value-wise, Hicks doesn’t look bad, although you have to worry about seeing the bullpen for three innings. The best play here is likely going to be the under.
Saturday’s Game
The Giants vs Phillies preview shows Keaton Winn and Ranger Suarez as the scheduled starters here. Winn has been strong, going 3-3 with an ERA of 3.18. He’s pitched five or six innings in all six of his starts. He’s allowed two runs or less in his last four starts and hasn’t allowed more than four runs.
Suarez has been amazing for Philadelphia, going 5-0 with a 1.32 ERA. The Phillies have won all six of his starts and he’s coming off a solid effort against San Diego. The Giants are 3-5 against left-handed starters this season.
This is another case where there’s a bit of value on the road underdog, but if we get another total of 7, the under is probably the way to go.
Sunday’s Game
The Giants vs Phillies preview shows Logan Webb and Taijuan Walker as the scheduled starters here. The Phillies will likely be small favorites in this one. Webb is 3-2 with a 2.98 ERA, but he’s been a much better pitcher at home this season. He’s struggled on the road, where the Giants are 1-3 in his starts and he has a 5.31 ERA.
Walker is making just his second start of the year and his first wasn’t that impressive. He allowed six earned runs in 6 1/3 innings, so he’s sporting an unsightly 8.53 ERA. The Phillies left him on the mound a bit too long, as he allowed a three-run homer in the seventh.
Walker’s ERA will help keep the line in check and the Phillies aren’t a bad play here. Webb’s name will be factored into the MLB odds on this game.
Monday’s Game
The Giants haven’t named a starter here, but it’s not going to be Daulton Jeffries. He was sent back to the minors on Thursday. The Giants will either make another move or have a bullpen game, which isn’t a pleasant thought.
The Phillies are expected to go with Cristopher Sanchez, who hasn’t pitched poorly, but the Phillies are 1-5 when he starts. Sanchez has a 1-3 record and a 3.38 ERA. He’s been better at home, with an ERA of 1.59. His three worst outings of the season have all been on the road.
Philadelphia’s record with Sanchez on the mound doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. He has pitched better than that, however. It’s tough to make your baseball predictions when you don’t know who gets the start for the Giants. Sanchez will most likely be the better pitcher of the starters. With the Giants struggling against left-handers, the Phillies could be a run line play here.
Giants vs Phillies Odds
For MLB picks, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
