Phillies vs Astros Pick: 1st Place Teams Meet in Houston (Jun 24)

• Our Phillies vs Astros pick analyzes two 1st place teams meeting in Houston
• Both clubs are likely playoff participants and could meet in the World Series
• Two lefties face off: Ranger Suarez for Philly and Framber Valdez for Houston

Underappreciated Suarez Having an All-Star Season

Phillies lefty Ranger Suarez missed the first month of the season with lower back soreness. Since his return, however, he has been one of MLB‘s top starters. In nine starts, he’s thrown 57.1 innings, given up 47 hits, and allowed 14 earned runs. He’s walked 14 and struck out 52.

His ERA is 2.20, but even that is misleading because his first start of the season was horrific. He allowed 7 earned runs to the Diamondbacks in 3.2 innings.

Against Suarez, the Astros’ Jeremy Peña is 1 for 4 with a home run. Christian Walker is 5 for 18 with 2 doubles, a triple, and 5 walks. Jose Altuve is 2 for 5 with a double. Victor Caratini is 2 for 8 with a walk. And Luis Guillorme is 2 for 4 with 2 singles.

The Phillies have taken advantage of the Mets’ cold streak to climb back into first place in the NL East. They are still without Bryce Harper, nursing a wrist injury.

Trea Turner is leading the NL in hits, has an .807 OPS, 9 homers, and 19 stolen bases in 24 attempts. Kyle Schwarber continues mashing with 24 homers and a .920 OPS.

Valdez Strives To Keep Astros Rolling

The Astros had a mediocre start, and it looked as if their days of contention were on the wane. However, since a 20-20 start, they have gone 25-13 to take over first place in the AL West with a comfortable lead over the struggling Mariners.

Veteran lefty and annual Cy Young Award contender Framber Valdez takes the hill for Houston. He has a 3.09 ERA, has tossed 96 innings, given up 75 hits, and 33 earned runs. But for one start, he has thrown at least 5 innings in every outing this season. His ERA was blown up by two poor starts early in the season, surrendering 12 earned runs in 9 innings.

For the Phillies, Schwarber is 3 for 14 against Valdez with 2 home runs. Brandon Marsh is 3 for 12. Nick Castellanos is 1 for 12 with a double. Edmundo Sosa is 2 for 7 with 2 doubles.

The Astros have been getting by on great top-to-bottom pitching. Their hitting has been subpar. Walker is at .218 with 10 homers. Altuve is hitting .269, which is low for him. But he does have 12 homers. Isaac Paredes has an .838 OPS and 16 home runs. Peña has a 4.5 bWAR with a .326 batting average, 11 homers, and 15 stolen bases.

Phillies vs Astros Pick: Valdez Wins a Pitchers’ Duel

Both starters have been on top of their games lately. Although the Astros are still struggling at the plate and the Phillies are hitting, expect Valdez to shut them down. The Astros will take a closely contested matchup.