The Los Angeles Dodgers (36-27) take one of the best lineups in the league on the road to face the Philadelphia Phillies (30-32) at Citizens Bank Park on Friday to open a three-game series. The Dodgers are in the midst of a six-game road trip.
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Reds, taking the finale 6-0 on Thursday at Great American Ball Park. James Outman was 1 for 2 with two walks and two runs. David Peralta went 4 for 5 with two RBIs.
The Phillies are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Tigers, taking the finale 3-2 on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park for their fifth straight win. Kody Clemens went 2 for 4 with one RBI.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Dodgers have won all three games this season between the teams, including a 10-6 victory in their most recent meeting on May 3 at Dodger Stadium. Reliever Brusdar Graterol threw 0.2 innings to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Michael Grove (0-2, 8.14 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles. The RHP allowed four runs over five innings in his last start, a 6-3 road defeat against the Yankees on Saturday. He took the loss, scattering four hits while striking out seven.
Grove is making his first appearance against the Phillies this season. Grove made one start against the Phillies in 2022, a 5-4 home victory on May 15. He surrendered four runs on four hits over 3.2 innings, striking out three and walking three.
LHP Ranger Suarez (1-2, 5.47 ERA) will take the mound for Philadelphia. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Dodgers. Suarez made two appearances against the Dodgers in 2022, both starts, striking out 11 and walking three over 10 innings (1-1, 5.40).
In his last start on Sunday, Suarez got the win on the road against the Nationals. He threw seven innings and gave up one run on eight hits, striking out three and walking one in the 11-3 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Los Angeles offense is averaging 5.6 runs per game for the season, third best in MLB, with a slash line of .243/.331/.460. Four Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Freddie Freeman (.970).
The first baseman is slashing .333/.407/.563 with 11 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 53 runs over 63 games. Against left-handed pitchers like Suarez this season, the Dodgers have a .811 OPS, fourth highest in MLB. Freeman also is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.019 OPS in 78 at-bats.
Philadelphia is slashing .255/.320/.415 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game. Nick Castellanos leads the team with a .856 OPS. The right fielder has seven home runs, 35 RBIs, and 38 runs scored with a slash line of .315/.363/.494.
Philadelphia is averaging 5.4 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.270/.346/.479). The Phils have a .745 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .845 OPS over 170 at-bats, Castellanos also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 16-17 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.5 runs per game while allowing 5.8 runs. Philadelphia has won four in a row at their home park.
The Phils are 17-10 at home this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. Los Angeles is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Citizens Bank Park with an average scoreline of 6.5-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Dodgers are second in the NL West, one game behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Phillies are third in the NL East, eight games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Philadelphia Phillies (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
