Free MLB Picks Today: Oakland Athletics vs Philadelphia Phillies 6/17/23

The Philadelphia Phillies (36-34) are on the road to face the Oakland Athletics (19-53) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Saturday. The Phillies took Friday’s series opener 6-1, their fourth straight victory overall.

Starter Taijuan Walker got the win, giving up one run on seven hits over eight innings and striking out eight. Alec Bohm was 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in the win. Esteury Ruiz went 2 for 4 with a double and one RBI for the Athletics.

ON THE MOUND

Righty James Kaprielian (2-6, 6.89 ERA) will toe the rubber for Oakland. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Phillies. In his last start on Monday, Kaprielian got the win at home against the Rays. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out four and walking three in the 4-3 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Philadelphia has averaged 7.6 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.5, while performing better across the board (.302/.365/.531). Against right-handed pitchers like Kaprielian this season, the Phils have a .758 OPS.

Nick Castellanos is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .833 OPS in 195 at-bats. Oakland is averaging only 2.6 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 3.6 for the season.

HOME AND AWAY

Philadelphia is on a four-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 17-23 in 2023. The Phils have scored 4.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.3 runs. Oakland has lost three in a row at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

The A’s are 9-27 at home this season, averaging 3.1 runs per game while surrendering 6.0. In the last 10 meetings at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Philadelphia (3.1-3.0).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Phillies are third in the NL East, eight games behind the division-leading Braves. The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 24 games behind the Rangers.