Weekend MLB preview: Phillies at Pirates
July 19th, 2019
The Philadelphia Phillies (50-47) and Pittsburgh Pirates (45-50) will renew acquaintances at PNC Park in a three-game series that begins Friday evening. Every contest is crucial to these two clubs, as they try to stay afloat in their respective divisions. Here's what bettors should be primed and ready for in this weekend affair.
Arrieta's road ERA this season is 4.81 (10 starts), and his batting average against in those outings is .300. He'll face a Pittsburgh order that's the best the big leagues by average this month (.300). Left fielder Bryan Reynolds (.346) and shortstop Kevin Newman (.379) have had hot bats in their last seven games.
The Pirates will be hoping for some length from starter Jordan Lyles, who has had a shaky last seven starts (10.48 ERA). Fortunately for Lyles the Phillies are 24th in batting average this month (.245). He is also backed by a bullpen that has a 3.84 ERA over the last 30 days. Philadelphia's relief corps has a 6.17 ERA in the same span.
Eflin has a 9.90 ERA in his last four starts. He's never faced Reynolds and Newman, nor has he seen hot-hitting infielders Colin Moran (.417 last 15 games) and Adam Frazier (.404 last 15 games).
Williams' ERA in his last four starts is a dreadful 9.53, and his WHIP in that span is 1.897. He has limited experience against this Phillies lineup, but center fielder Scott Kingery and catcher J.T. Realmuto are 4-for-6 combined against the Arizona State product.
Velazquez (who has a 6.33 ERA in his last five efforts) must be careful with Pittsburgh outfielder Starling Marte, who has four home runs in his last seven games. Velazquez has faced Marte just three times but let up a hit in each instance.
Musgrove is an enigma, as he's tallied four quality starts in his last seven outings but still has a 3.89 ERA in that span. There's little for bettors to glean from his prior experience against these Phillies hitters, but if Musgrove gets into trouble, his bullpen should be able to bail him out.
Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Jake Arrieta (8-7, 4.54 ERA) (PHI) -110 / +1.5 runs (-200) / Over 10 runs (-115) Jordan Lyles (5-6, 5.16 ERA) (PIT) EVEN / -1.5 runs (+165) / Under 10 runs (-105)MLB free play: Pirates moneyline
The Pirates' offense is firing on all cylinders this month, which spells trouble for Jake Arrieta and the Phillies on Friday night.Arrieta's road ERA this season is 4.81 (10 starts), and his batting average against in those outings is .300. He'll face a Pittsburgh order that's the best the big leagues by average this month (.300). Left fielder Bryan Reynolds (.346) and shortstop Kevin Newman (.379) have had hot bats in their last seven games.
The Pirates will be hoping for some length from starter Jordan Lyles, who has had a shaky last seven starts (10.48 ERA). Fortunately for Lyles the Phillies are 24th in batting average this month (.245). He is also backed by a bullpen that has a 3.84 ERA over the last 30 days. Philadelphia's relief corps has a 6.17 ERA in the same span.
Saturday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Two slumping starters will toe the rubber in Saturday evening's showdown, as Philadelphia's Zach Eflin (7-9, 4.16 ERA) faces off with Pittsburgh's Trevor Williams (3-3, 5.17 ERA).Eflin has a 9.90 ERA in his last four starts. He's never faced Reynolds and Newman, nor has he seen hot-hitting infielders Colin Moran (.417 last 15 games) and Adam Frazier (.404 last 15 games).
Williams' ERA in his last four starts is a dreadful 9.53, and his WHIP in that span is 1.897. He has limited experience against this Phillies lineup, but center fielder Scott Kingery and catcher J.T. Realmuto are 4-for-6 combined against the Arizona State product.
Sunday, 1:35 p.m. ET
The Pirates should be able to put up some runs against Vince Velasquez (2-5, 4.87 ERA). They'll just have to hope the inconsistent Joe Musgrove (6-8, 4.31 ERA) can hold up his end of the bargain in Sunday's series finale.Velazquez (who has a 6.33 ERA in his last five efforts) must be careful with Pittsburgh outfielder Starling Marte, who has four home runs in his last seven games. Velazquez has faced Marte just three times but let up a hit in each instance.
Musgrove is an enigma, as he's tallied four quality starts in his last seven outings but still has a 3.89 ERA in that span. There's little for bettors to glean from his prior experience against these Phillies hitters, but if Musgrove gets into trouble, his bullpen should be able to bail him out.
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