Milwaukee Brewers at Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview
Wednesday evening will feature the third of a four-game series between National League rivals as the Milwaukee Brewers (17-13) take on the Philadelphia Phillies (15-15). The Phillies will host this one at Citizens Bank Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm ET.
The Phillies have won each of the first two games of this series. On Tuesday, it was a 6-5 win led by Andrew McCutchen, who had two home runs in the game. Aaron Nola picked up the win giving up one run over six innings while striking out ten.
In the loss, the defense did not help starter Eric Lauer as they committed three errors. Of the six runs Lauer gave up, only two were earned. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit his third home run of the season.
The Brewers are the favorites despite playing on the road. They are -134 to win while the Phillies’ moneyline is +114. The runline features Philadelphia +1.5, while the over/under for total runs is eight.
Pitching Matchup
The Brewers will turn to righty Freddy Peralta (3-0, 2.25 ERA) to try to pick up the first win of the series. In his last start, a 3-1 win over the Dodgers, Peralta went six innings of one-run ball and struck out seven. The Brewers will hope to get a similar performance Wednesday.
The Phillies will send Chase Anderson (1-3, 5.40 ERA) to the mound. He picked up his first win of the season in his last outing, a 2-1 win over the Mets. In the win, he went five innings, allowing one run, five hits, and struck out six.
By The Numbers
Both of these teams are in the bottom third of the league when it comes to offense. The Brewers rank 21st, averaging four runs per game. The Phillies rank 26th in scoring, averaging just 3.86 runs per game.
Defensively, it is once again the Brewers that have the edge. They rank 12th in runs allowed per game at 4.07. The Phillies rank 18th allowing opponents 4.41 runs per game.
Brewers Hope To Fight Back To First
With their loss to the Phillies on Tuesday, the Brewers moved to second in the N.L. Central, a half-game behind the Cardinals for the top spot. They will look to both break their small losing streak and reclaim the division lead with a win Wednesday.
If they are going to do it, they will have to without superstar Christian Yelich. The outfielder was put back on the injured list, just one day after coming off of it, with continued back issues.
Without Yelich, their most productive offensive player has been the third baseman, Travis Shaw. Even though he is hitting just .229/.312/.417, he leads the team in both home runs (five) and runs batted in (22).
Over the last week, he and Jackie Bradley Jr. have carried the team with a combined four home runs and nine runs batted in.
Phillies Out To Hold Top Spot In N.L. East
With two wins in a row over the Brewers, the Phillies now find themselves in first place in the N.L. East. In a division where just two games separates first from last, the Phillies know every win throughout the season is important.
Leading the way offensively has been first baseman, Rhys Hoskins. On the season, he is hitting .241/.290/.517 with eight home runs and 16 runs batted in. Hoskins is also two for three with a home run in his career against Peralta.
In the last week, it has been veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen, who has been the hottest hitter. In those seven games, he is hitting .292/.346/.708 with three home runs and five runs batted in. Like Hoskins, he has had some success against Peralta in limited at bats, going three for four against the righty.
Taking The Brewers To Win Their First Game Of Series
This one comes down to the pitching. While Chase Anderson picked up his first win in his last outing, Freddy Peralta has been the far superior pitcher this season.
It should be a good matchup, though. The Phillies are 11-6 when playing at home, but the Brewers are 9-5 on the road.
Still, expect Peralta to keep the free-swinging Phillies in check and for the Brewers to win Wednesday night. Take Milwaukee -134.
