Free MLB Picks Today: Philadelphia Phillies vs Miami Marlins 9/6/22

The Philadelphia Phillies (73-61), one of the highest-scoring offenses in baseball, are set to host the Miami Marlins (55-78) at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday for the first of a three-game series. The Marlins are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Braves, dropping the finale 7-1 on Sunday at Truist Park for their seventh straight loss. Joey Wendle was 1 for 3 with one RBI. The Phillies are back home for a six-game homestand after finishing up a tough six-game road trip (1-5). They were just swept in three games against the Giants, dropping the finale 5-3 on Sunday at Oracle Park. J.T. Realmuto went 1 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs. Alec Bohm went 3 for 4 with one run.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Phillies have won eight of 13 in the season series between the NL East rivals, although they suffered a 3-0 defeat in their last meeting on August 11 at Citizens Bank Park. Starter Edward Cabrera threw 5.2 scoreless innings- striking out six – for the win, and Tanner Scott pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to earn his 16th save.

ON THE MOUND

Jesus Luzardo (3-6, 3.44 ERA) is set for the start for Miami. The lefty allowed five runs (three earned) over six innings in his last start, a 7-2 road defeat against the Rays on August 30. He took the loss, scattering six hits while striking out four and walking two. Luzardo is making his first appearance against the Phillies this season. Over two starts against the Phillies in 2021, Luzardo was 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA over 11 innings. He had 14 strikeouts and two walks. RHP Aaron Nola (9-11, 3.43 ERA) takes the mound for Philadelphia. He has made two appearances against the Marlins this season, both as the starter, giving up two runs over 15.1 innings (1-0, 1.17) with 16 strikeouts and one walk. In his last start on August 30, Nola took the loss on the road against the Diamondbacks. He threw four innings and gave up eight runs on 10 hits, striking out five, in the 12-3 defeat. The righty ranks third in the NL in strikeouts (190).

AT THE PLATE

The Miami offense is averaging 3.5 runs per game for the season, fourth lowest in the league, with a slash line of .227/.292/.359. Miguel Rojas leads the team in OPS at .597. The shortstop is slashing .229/.276/.322 with six home runs, 31 RBIs, and 32 runs over 116 games. Over the last five games, though, Miami has averaged only 1.2 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.172/.231/.229). Against right-handed pitchers like Nola this season, the Fish have a .675 OPS, fourth lowest in the league. Garrett Cooper is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .775 OPS in 273 at-bats. Philadelphia is slashing .254/.317/.421 for the season and averaging 4.7 runs per game, fifth best in the league. Rhys Hoskins leads the team with ann .808 OPS. The first baseman has 26 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 70 runs scored with a slash line of .250/.340/.468. Philadelphia is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five with a better slash line (.298/.355/.431). The Phils have a .779 OPS against left-handers in 2022, third highest in MLB. With a 1.016 OPS over 122 at-bats, Hoskins also has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Miami is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 29-40 in 2022. The Fish have scored 3.6 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.2 runs. Philadelphia has gone 39-30 at their home park this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 games at Citizens Bank Park between the teams, Philadelphia is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 3.9-3.6.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Marlins are fourth in the NL East, 29 games behind the division-leading Mets. The Phillies are third in the NL East, 11 games behind the Mets. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero.