The Philadelphia Phillies endured an explosive series against the Chicago Cubs with both teams firing on all cylinders offensively. The Arizona Diamondbacks are the next team to travel to Citizens Bank Park, with the opening game of a three-game set taking place on Monday.
Phillies vs Diamondbacks info
Date: Monday, May 22nd
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
TV channel: MLB TV, NBCSP
Phillies vs Diamondbacks Betting odds
Money line: Philadelphia Phillies (-145) | Arizona Cardinals (+125)
Run Line: Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+115) | Arizona Cardinals +1.5 (-135)
Run total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
Pitching matchup
Zack Wheeler (5-4, 4.06 ERA) vs Tommy Henry 1-1, 5.00 ERA)
Happy Wheelsday! Zack Wheeler returns to the mound on Monday on the back of a disappointing outing against the Giants, who tagged him for 9 hits and 4 runs in 6 innings. It’s been a tale of two halves for Wheeler up to this point, who has flashed the same excellence exhibited in 2022 along with some stumbles such as the loss to Boston a couple of weeks ago.
Standing across from him will be Tommy Henry. He’s one of Arizona’s top prospects and was called up to make his first start of the 2023 season a little over a month ago. Henry struggled to force strikeouts during his rookie season and that’s been the case this year two. He’s struck out 4 or fewer in all 5 plate appearances up to this point and will now face a Phillies offense that ranks 7th in batting average. This could be a problem for the young pitcher.
This pitching matchup will provide Zack Wheeler with an opportunity to get back to his best, safe in the knowledge that the Phils offense does hold a distinct advantage over an inexperienced Tommy Henry whose best start arguably came against the Giants where he surrendered 5 hits and 2 runs in 6 innings.
Phillies vs Diamondbacks Betting preview
We all know that the Phillies offense is explosive, but Arizona’s is just as lethal. It ranks 4th in batting average with .266 and 7th in slugging. The defense, however, leaves a lot to be desired.
Arizona sits just 24th in opposing slugging percentage and 30th in extra bases allowed. This could provide a HUGE advantage for the Phils, with Wheeler needing some help as he hopes to stifle a similarly powerful offense.
Arizona does have plenty of offensive upside, but an inexperienced arm and some real weakness on defense should swing this in favor of the home team. I’m backing the Phillies to win here.
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AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
