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Phillies Begin Yankees Series as -142 Favorite Behind Zack Wheeler
By Joe Tansey
Published:
The Philadelphia Phillies’ schedule gauntlet continues on Monday with the start of the New York Yankees series.
The Phils haven’t played their best baseball out of the All-Star break, but this is a good opportunity to rebound from the 1-2 series marks against the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians.
After all, it’s the Yankees.
They aren’t as hated of a rival as the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves because they reside in the American League, but it’s still the Yankees. Everyone hates them.
In terms of the baseball, the Phillies appear to be in great shape to begin the three-game set behind Zack Wheeler.
Wheeler has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last five starts. That’s pretty damn good for a part of the season where some pitchers go through some lulls. We’ve seen that firsthand with Ranger Suarez.
Wheeler can be the Phillies’ tone-setter, and it’s a bit surprising that he’s only a -142 favorite against Luis Gil, who hit the midseason lull I just mentioned.
Gil allowed 15 hits, seven earned runs and walked five batters in 21.2 July innings. That’s not bad, but compared to the three earned runs he allowed in all of May, it’s a small disappointment.
Wheeler at home should be trusted, even with some decent batter-versus-pitcher numbers against him within the Yankees roster.
Juan Soto is a .256 hitter against Wheeler and Jazz Chisholm, Jr., who was just acquired this week from Miami, is a .313 hitter against the Phillies’ right-handed starter.
However, it’s also worth noting Aaron Judge doesn’t have a hit in five at-bats against Wheeler and the bottom of the Yankees lineup is still very average at best. Judge is -240 at PA sports betting apps to record a hit and +220 to go yard.
Add in the fact that the Yankees are coming off Sunday Night Baseball and an always emotional series with the Boston Red Sox and you could have a lineup susceptible to strikeouts.
Gil’s overall numbers aren’t bad. In fact, righties are hitting under .200 against him for the season, but lefties are slightly better against him, and well, the Phillies’ two most powerful bats are on the left side.
I wouldn’t go crazy with the over, or any player props, for Monday’s game. I’d probably say the same thing about Tuesday’s matchup between Aaron Nola and Gerrit Cole.
Wednesday’s matchup between Cristopher Sanchez and Nestor Cortes swings far in the Phillies’ favor because Cortes has been awful this season. If you’re
At their best, the Phillies can sweep the Yanks, or at least take two games of the three before they depart for a 10-game road swing that begins on Friday.
Kinkead: Phillies moneyline on Monday, we avoid Tuesday like the plague and play PA online casino instead, then back to Phillies moneyline Wednesday. Fade me if you dare.
Joe Tansey writes sports betting posts for Crossing Broad and also covers the Philadelphia Union for his Substack site, Union Soccer Blog.