Published May 22, 9:38pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated May 22, 9:38pm ET
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Updated May 22, 9:38pm ET
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| Philadelphia Phillies | -190 |
| Cleveland Guardians | +171 |
The Guardians have been one of the hottest teams in MLB, winners of 7 in a row. In their first game against the Phillies, they won a 1-0 pitcher's duel.
For the second game of the series, Slade Cecconi takes the mound. The righty has had three consecutive good starts after struggling in his previous three starts. In his last start against the Tigers, he allowed 2 earned runs and 5 hits in 7.1 innings. This got the Guardians started on their way to a sweep over Detroit.
Overall, he has a 5.16 ERA in 10 starts. Over 52.1 innings, he's allowed 59 hits and 30 earned runs, walking 19 and striking out 42.
Jose Ramirez's OPS is creeping up, sitting at .774, and is approaching his normal levels. Angel Martinez leads the team in home runs with 9. Chase DeLauter has an .809 OPS and 7 homers. Steven Kwan continues to struggle with his batting average dropping below .200.
Against Phillies starter Zach Wheeler, Rhys Hoskins is 5 for 24 with a double and a home run. Kwan is 2 for 6 with a double. Ramirez is 2 for 6 with 2 singles.
The Phillies won 16 of their first 19 games under Don Mattingly, but they have lost their last three, including Friday night's 1-0 loss to the Guardians.
Phillies starter Zack Wheeler has been excellent all season. His last two starts have been especially good. He's tossed 14.1 innings, allowed 10 hits and 1 earned run. For the season, he's accrued a 1.6 bWAR in 5 starts. He has a 1.99 ERA, has allowed 21 hits in 31.2 innings, and allowed 7 earned runs, walking 7 and striking out 30.
Several key Philly bats who got off to woeful starts have shown signs of life as of late. Alec Bohm is up to .216, which is a significant rise after a terrible start. Bryson Stott is hitting .231, which is also an improvement after a rotten start. Treat Turner is batting .234. Adolis Garcia has a .596 OPS. Brandon Marsh has been excellent with an .812 OPS.
For the Phillies against Cecconi, J.T. Realmuto is 2 for 2 with a double and a home run. Garcia is 2 for 3 with a double and a home run. Bohm is 2 for 3 with a double. Kyle Schwarber is 1 for 4 with a double. Turner is 1 for 3 with a single. Edmundo Sosa is 1 for 3 with a double.
The Guardians have been hot and the Phillies have been cold. But this game is not about that. It's about the pitching matchup. Wheeler has been brilliant this season. Cecconi is up and down in general. Philly has also had success against Cleveland's starter.
For this matchup. Philly will end Cleveland's win streak behind Wheeler and win by at least 2 runs.
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Pick
Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+110)
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