Cristopher Sanchez is expected to make his first start of the season as the Philadelphia Phillies (9-12) match up against the Colorado Rockies (6-15) at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday. The Phillies leveled the series 1-1 after winning 4-3 on Friday.
Seranthony Dominguez threw one scoreless inning of relief to get the win, and Jose Alvarado picked up his third save with a scoreless ninth. Kyle Schwarber went 2 for 4 with a solo home run in the win. Ryan McMahon was 1 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs for the Rockies.
ON THE MOUND
Kyle Freeland (2-1, 3.80 ERA) is in line for the start for Colorado. The southpaw allowed nine runs (seven earned) over 2.2 innings in his last start, a 14-3 road defeat against the Pirates on Monday. He was charged with the loss, giving up eight hits while striking out one and walking one.
Freeland is making his first appearance against the Phillies this season. Over two starts against the Phillies in 2022, Freeland was 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA over 10 innings.
He had 10 strikeouts and two walks.For Philadelphia, lefty Sanchez gets the ball, his season debut. He was 2-2 over 15 appearances (three starts) last season with an ERA of 5.63. He struck out 35 and walked 17 over 40.0 innings.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Colorado has averaged 3.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.8. Against lefties like Sanchez this season, the Rockies have a .677 OPS. Kris Bryant is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a 1.064 OPS in 20 at-bats.
Philadelphia is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.3 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.229/.296/.341). The Phils have a .750 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.160 OPS over 19 at-bats, Edmundo Sosa has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Colorado is 3-8 in away games in 2023, scoring 3.2 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Philadelphia has gone 4-4 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 meetings at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.1-3.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, six games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Phillies are fourth in the NL East, five games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Philadelphia Phillies (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
