Bryce Harper will be looking to extend his 17-game on-base streak as the Philadelphia Phillies (+165) host the San Diego Padres (-195) at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday in Game 5 with the home team one win away from the World Series. Expect a pitchers’ duel with the early total at 6.5 with the over a -120 favorite.
The Phillies lead the series 3-1 after winning 10-6 on Saturday, their seventh head-to-head victory in 11 games this season. Reliever Brad Hand was credited with the win after throwing one inning. Rhys Hoskins went 2 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs in the win. J.T. Realmuto added a home run and three runs, walking twice. Manny Machado was 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the Padres.
ON THE MOUND
Yu Darvish (16-8, 3.10 ERA) is slated to take the mound for San Diego. The RHP is tied for third in the NL in wins. Darvish gets the Phillies for the second straight start. On Tuesday, he allowed two runs over seven innings, a 2-0 road defeat. He took the loss, giving up three hits while striking out seven and walking one.
Over three previous starts against the Phillies this season, Darvish has allowed only five earned runs over 20 innings (1-1, 2.25). He has struck out 21 and walked two. Righty Zack Wheeler (12-7, 2.82 ERA) gets the start for Philadelphia. He has made two appearances against the Padres this season, both as the starter, holding opposing hitters scoreless over 14 innings (2-0, 0.00) with 17 strikeouts and one walk.
In his last start on Tuesday, Wheeler got the win on the road against the Padres. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up one hit, striking out eight and walking one in the 2-0 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, San Diego has averaged 4.2 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.4. Against right-handed pitchers like Wheeler this season, the Padres have a .697 OPS. Juan Soto is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .942 OPS in 329 at-bats.
Philadelphia is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.6 for the season, with a higher slugging percentage (.533 vs .422). The Phils have a .727 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .900 OPS over 380 at-bats, Kyle Schwarber has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Diego is 48-40 on the road in 2022, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Philadelphia has gone 51-34 at home this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. In the last 10 games between the teams at Citizens Bank Park, each club has won five, though San Diego has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 3.7-3.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Padres finished second in the NL West with a record of 89-73. The Phillies were third in the NL East (87-75).
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Philadelphia Phillies (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
