Published Mar 15, 7:44pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Mar 15, 7:44pm ET
Grok AI
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| Detroit Tigers | -140 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +120 |
Charles (Chuck) King had quit baseball after finishing his college career at TCU. He took a job with the Padres as a performance analyst. A pitcher in San Diego's system asked why he wasn't playing since he could clearly pitch. After working his way back into playing shape, he signed with the Phillies.
Below is a video from high school.
Now, at 28, the 6'5", 215-pound righty has not allowed a run in 5 innings this spring. He's given up 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 9. It's starting to look like he has a real chance to make the team.
At the plate this spring, Alec Bohm is batting .333 with 3 homers and a 1.086 after he dealt with trade rumors in the offseason. Bryson Stott is hitting .400 with a 1.180 OPS.
Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are away at the WBC, playing for Team USA.
Since the Tigers have had so many starting pitchers go down before the season, Jack Flaherty is a crucial component of their 2026 season. He led the AL in losses in 2026, but his bWAR was 0.8, so he wasn't as bad as his record suggests.
In 161 innings, he gave up 147 hits and struck out 188.
He's made 2 starts this spring and thrown 3 innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 earned runs, allowing 1 homer, walking 1, and striking out 5.
For Detroit at the plate, Corey Julks is batting .391 with 3 homers and a 1.357 OPS. John Peck is at .360 with a 1.087 OPS and 2 homers. Matt Vierling is hitting .343 with a 1.064 OPS.
Given his struggles, Javier Baez needs a good spring and a solid start. So far, he's hitting .318. Of course, he hasn't walked this spring.
The starting pitching matchup in this Phillies vs Tigers spring training matchup looks like a veteran vs a minor leaguer. In the regular season, that would lean toward Flaherty and the Tigers. However, since King is trying to make the team and Flaherty is simply trying to get ready for the season, it is the opposite.
The Phillies should take this game on the road with King taking another step toward his unlikely spot on the Phillies' opening day roster.
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Philadelphia Phillies +120
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