The Phillies will head to San Diego to finish their long road trip. The Phillies have gone 4-3 on the trip but are coming into play on a three game losing streak. The Padres have been one of baseball’s best this season, welcoming the Phillies to town with a 44-27 record near the top of the National League.
Manny-Less Padres
The Padres will be playing this series without Manny Machado, who has been one of the best players in baseball this season. Machado rolled his ankle running to first base this past weekend in a game against the Colorado Rockies. The timetable for Manny’s return is up in the air and his sprained ankle can take weeks to recover. As for the Phillies, they won’t have to worry about seeing Manny Machado this weekend and for the rest of the regular season.
Time to Step Up
Since Sunday’s game in Washington, the Phillies offense has only scored 5 runs in three games. They need to get back on track or they will quickly fall behind against a red hot Padres lineup. Bryce Harper was absent from the lineup Sunday and Tuesday, which meant the Phillies would need someone else to step up.
Aside from Kyle Schwarber, the offense went quietly. 2021 All-Stars Nick Castellanos and JT Realmuto have really been struggling this season and their absence has hurt the team. Castellanos is new to the team and has been a successful hitter at every stop in the bug leagues. It would be fair to Nick to give him the benefit of the doubt that he will figure it out soon. As for Realmuto, there is reason to panic. JT’s bat has almost gone silent since the second half of 2021. The best catcher in baseball may have lost his title for the time being. Catchers are known to fall off quicker as they age and for the Phillies sake hopefully Realmuto is just cold and not regressing as a player. The Phillies will need someone to step up this weekend and lead the charge at the plate.
Betting preview
The Phillies go into game 1 as underdogs and that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Ranger Suarez will face Joe Musgrove and his 1.59 ERA tonight. Musgrove will make start #13 of his season and will be looking to further his undefeated streak of 8-0.
The Phils will need to come out firing on all cylinders if they are to win the opening frame. But you can get a risk-free bet on the game by clicking the graphic above!
AP Photo/Chris Szagola
