Ranger Suarez is lined up for his first start of the season as the Philadelphia Phillies (19-19) face off against the Colorado Rockies (16-23) at Coors Field on Saturday.
The Phillies took Friday’s series opener 6-3, their fourth straight victory overall and fourth in a row head-to-head, including four of five games against the Rockies this season.
Matt Strahm threw one scoreless inning out of the bullpen to get the win, and Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his fourth save. Alec Bohm was 1 for 3 with a home run and two runs in the win. Ryan McMahon went 2 for 4 with a double and one run for the Rockies.
ON THE MOUND
Suarez is in line to start for Philadelphia, his season debut. Last season, the LHP made 29 starts and went 10-7 with a 3.65 ERA. He had 129 strikeouts and 58 walks over 155.1 innings. Suarez made one start against the Rockies in 2022, a 7-3 home victory on April 27.
He surrendered three runs on seven hits over six innings, striking out three and walking one. For Colorado, righty Ryan Feltner (2-2, 5.08 ERA) gets the ball. He has made one prior start against the Phillies this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over 5.2 innings in a 5-0 road win on April 20.
He gave up three hits and walked three, while striking out six in the win.In his last start on Sunday, Feltner took a no-decision on the road against the Mets. He threw 3.1 innings and gave up four runs on four hits, striking out three and walking six in the 13-6 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Philadelphia has averaged 5.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.4. Against right-handed pitchers like Feltner this season, the Phils have a .766 OPS. Brandon Marsh is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .953 OPS in 79 at-bats.
Colorado is averaging 6.0 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.3 for the season, with an improved slash line (.270/.328/.425). The Rockies have a .684 OPS against lefties in 2023. With a .971 OPS over 35 at-bats, Kris Bryant has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Philadelphia is 8-12 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 6.1 runs. Colorado has gone 7-10 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 6.8. Colorado is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Coors Field between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.4-4.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Phillies are second in the NL East, six games behind the division-leading Braves. The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, eight games behind the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Philadelphia Phillies (-155)
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