The Philadelphia Phillies (72-56) are in for a challenge against Zac Gallen at Chase Field on Monday when the impressive right-hander takes the mound for the Arizona Diamondbacks (59-67) to open a three-game series. The Phillies are playing their first of six games on the road after wrapping up an 11-game homestand (7-4). They won two out of three in their last series against the Pirates, dropping the finale 5-0 on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. Matt Vierling was 2 for 2 with a walk. The Diamondbacks are playing the first of seven games at home. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the White Sox, taking the finale 3-2 on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Sergio Alcantara went 1 for 2 with a solo home run. Stone Garrett added a solo home run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Phillies have won two of three in the season series between the teams, although they suffered a 13-1 defeat in their last meeting on June 12 at Citizens Bank Park. Luke Weaver got the win with three innings of relief.
ON THE MOUND
Ranger Suarez (8-5, 3.38 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Philadelphia. The LHP allowed three runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 7-6 road win over the Reds on Tuesday. He gave up six hits while striking out five and walking four in the no-decision. Suarez has made one previous start against the Diamondbacks this season, a 13-1 home loss on June 12. He surrendered four runs on four hits over 4.1 innings, striking out two and walking four. For Arizona, right-hander Gallen (9-2, 2.66 ERA) will toe the rubber. He has made one prior start against the Phillies this season, giving up six runs (4 ER) over 1.2 innings in a 7-5 road defeat on June 10. He gave up seven hits and walked one, while striking out two in the loss. In his last start on Wednesday, Gallen took a no-decision on the road against the Royals. He threw six scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out six and walking three in the 5-3 defeat. The right-hander ranks fifth in the NL in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
The Philadelphia offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .253/.316/.422. Rhys Hoskins leads the team in OPS at .811. The first baseman is slashing .247/.340/.471 with 26 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 67 runs over 126 games. Against righties like Gallen this season, the Phils have a .723 OPS. Kyle Schwarber is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .858 OPS in 299 at-bats. Arizona is slashing .230/.308/.385 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game. Christian Walker leads the team with a .800 OPS. The first baseman has 30 home runs, 72 RBIs, and 64 runs scored with a slash line of .227/.323/.477. Arizona is averaging 6.0 runs per game in the last five with a higher on-base percentage (.326). The D-backs have a .682 OPS against southpaws in 2022. With a .915 OPS over 94 at-bats, Walker also has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Philadelphia is 33-26 on the road in 2022, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.0 runs. Arizona has lost three in a row at Chase Field. The D-backs are 32-32 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In the last 10 games at Chase Field between the teams, Arizona is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 4.7-2.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Phillies are third in the NL East, nine games behind the division-leading Mets. The Diamondbacks are fourth in the NL West, 29 games behind the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Philadelphia Phillies (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
