Media by Associated Press – Philadelphia Phillies’ Rhys Hoskins (17) and teammates celebrate a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in 10 innings in a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, July 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Philadelphia Phillies (53-47) are battling for a wild card spot as they finish July across the state, taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates (40-60).
Philadelphia won Thursday’s series opener 8-7 and Friday’s game 4-2 in 10 innings. Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET from PNC Park in Pittsburgh, airing on FOX.
The Phillies send LHP Ranger Suarez (7-5, 3.84) to the mound on Saturday against Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (3-7, 4.55). Philadelphia leads the season series 2-0, and they will host the Pirates for three games at the end of August. Last year the Phillies won the series 4-3 with a 1-2 mark at PNC Park.
Hoskins Carrying Phillies into August
The Phillies are 31-18 since firing Joe Girardi and 4-4 since the All-Star break. They are 27-22 on the road and 37-34 against RHP. The Phillies are 10-8 against the NL Central this season.
Rhys Hoskins was the hero on Friday as he tied the game with a single in the seventh and put the Phillies on top for good with a two-run homer in the 10th. He finished 4-for-4 with three RBI, while Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm, and Matt Vierling all had two hits.
Kyle Schwarber leads the Phillies and the National League with 32 home runs, and he’s driven in a team-best 65. Hoskins has 20 homers and 48 RBI, while Castellanos has driven in 47. Bohm leads the team with a .296 average
Suarez took a no-decision against the Braves on Monday as he allowed three unearned runs on four hits over five innings. He has gone at least five innings in five straight outings and hasn’t allowed a home run in his last two outings. Suarez is 3-1 with a 1.52 ERA in his last five starts.
He last faced the Pirates on September 25, 2021, with a complete game shutout as he struck out seven and allowed four hits. Ke’Bryan Hayes and Kevin Newman are both 0-for-4 against Suarez. The only current Pirates player with a hit against the lefty is Yoshi Tsutsugo, who is 1-for-3.
Pirates Struggling as July Ends
The Pirates are 2-8 in their last ten games and 1-7 since the All-Star break. They are 21-27 at home this season and 16-21 against LHP. Pittsburgh is 7-13 against the NL East.
Hayes homered for the Pirates on Friday while Newman was 3-for-5 and Michael Chavis had two hits. Cal Mitchell homered in Thursday’s loss, and Newman had two hits, two RBI, and a triple in that contest.
Brian Reynolds leads the Pirates with 15 homers, one more than Jack Suwinski. Reynolds and Chavis both have 32 RBI, while Hayes has 29. Newman was the only starter on Friday, batting over .250, and he’s hitting .277.
Keller took a no-decision against Miami last Sunday as he allowed three runs on five hits over six innings while striking out seven. He’s gone at least six innings in four straight starts and has at least five strikeouts in all four of those outings. Keller lost to the Phillies twice last season, once in each stadium, allowing 12 runs on 19 hits over nine innings.
Castellanos has two career homers against Keller, and he is 7-for-21 for a .333 average. Bohm and JT Realmuto are both batting .500 against Keller, while Schwarber is 4-for-6. Hoskins is 2-for-2 in his career against Keller with one RBI.
Betting Analysis
- Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+105) Moneyline -155
- Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (-125). Moneyline +135
- Total Runs 8.5 Over -105. Under -115
The Pirates are a mess right now and may sell off some players before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Suarez has pitched well lately and has had great success against the Pirates.
Look for the Phillies to keep things going in the right direction and get in position for the sweep on Sunday.
Betting Pick: Phillies -1.5 (+105)
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