MLB Friday Preview: Phillies at Brewers, Mariners at A's

Philadelphia Phillies (29-21) at Milwaukee Brewers (29-22), 8:10 p.m. ET

MLB Free Play: Over

Jerad Eickhoff (2-2, 3.23 ERA) (PHI) +115 / +1.5 runs (-180) / Over nine runs (-115) Chase Anderson (2-0, 2.66 ERA) (MIL) -125 / -1.5 runs (+150) / Under nine runs (EVEN)

The Phillies and Brewers should pile up the runs in Friday night’s series opener at Miller Park, as Jerad Eickhoff and Chase Anderson take the hill for their respective clubs.

Eickhoff was knocked around for five runs on eight hits and two walks by Milwaukee when he faced them on May 14. He surrendered a pair of home runs in that tilt; one to outfielder Ryan Braun and the other to catcher Yasmani Grandal. Both sluggers have had solid months, with Braun’s OPS at a strong 1.126, while Grandal’s is .838. Assuming the Brewers chase Eickhoff early, they’ll get extra cracks at the Phillies’ 23rd-ranked bullpen by batting average against (.260).

Anderson allowed four walks in four innings of work on May 18, his first outing since hitting the IL with a finger laceration. His SO/W ratio this season is a meager 1.92, which plays right into the hands of Bryce Harper and company. The Phillies are fifth in baseball in walks drawn this season at 203. Third baseman Maikel Franco has five hits, including three home runs, in just 10 career at-bats against Anderson. Look for him to lead the way on offense along with outfielder Odubel Herrera (5-for-12 against Anderson) and shortstop Jean Segura (4-for-12).

Seattle Mariners (23-29) at Oakland Athletics (25-25), 10:07 p.m. ET

MLB Free Play: A’s moneyline

Wade LeBlanc (2-1, 7.36 ERA) (SEA) +140 / +1.5 runs (-140) / Over 9.5 runs (-105) Daniel Mengden (1-1, 3.65 ERA) (OAK) -155 / -1.5 runs (+120) / Under 9.5 runs (-115)

The streaking A’s look like a good bet this Friday night as they face the slumping Mariners at Oakland Coliseum.

Wade LeBlanc has been inconsistent, but mostly poor, in four starts this season. The southpaw could get roughed up by Oakland’s lineup, which is sixth in the majors in batting average against lefties (.264). Khris Davis has three hits, including a home run, in six previous encounters with LeBlanc, while Jurickson Profar is 3-for-10 lifetime.

Daniel Mengden started the season in the minors after a bad showing in spring training but pitched very well in the hitter’s haven that is the Pacific Coast League (3-2, 2.77 ERA) to merit a call-up. He was a bit erratic against the Indians before taming the Tigers through seven on May 18. It looks like Seattle will be handed their seventh loss in eight games.