Chad Billingsley (0-2, 9.00 ERA) and Chase Anderson (0-1, 2.97 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Philadelphia Phillies (13-23) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (15-18) at Citizens Bank Park. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 15 and can be seen on CSN-PHI and FSN-AZ.
Billingsley is 10-9 with a 3.83 ERA in his appearances against the Diamondbacks, and goes up against a good Arizona offense which is batting .269 this season. Freddy Galvis (.353, 13 Rs, 1 HR, 9 RBIs, 3 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 3 for 3 with two runs and one stolen base. Anderson went 7.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out two and walking two in a 6-4 defeat to the Padres in his last outing. Paul Goldschmidt (.347, 28 Rs, 9 HRs, 28 RBIs, 6 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Diamondbacks, going 3 for 4 Wednesday with two runs and one RBI.
Arizona takes on Philadelphia as a -121 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at eight runs. The Phillies have recorded an overall money line of -819 and have shown a weak performance as an underdog this season with a record of 11-21. Philadelphia’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 7.0 per game.
In the other locker room, in contrast to a worrisome overall money line (-107), Arizona has an impressive 6-4 record when playing as the favorite. Offensively, they average 4.9 runs per game, which is good for second in the NL. The Diamondbacks are tough outs for opponents, leading the NL with 9.5 hits per game. Arizona’s pitching staff is one of the top in the NL at pitching on the road, with a 3.72 ERA. When it comes to issuing walks on the road, the Diamondbacks have the second-fewest in the NL with an average of just 2.4 walks allowed per game.
The Phillies have a bad 8-20 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Anderson takes the mound. Billingsley (RHP) will be on the hill against the Diamondbacks, who have an 11-13 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – ARI, O/U – Under
Notes
The Phillies are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Diamondbacks have a 3-5 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Phillies are 3-18. The Diamondbacks have a 3-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Philadelphia ranks at the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 19 this season. Arizona ranks in the top half at 13th with 31.
Ranking first in hits, Arizona has earned 9.48 per game this season. Philadelphia ranks 14th with 7.57 hits.
Ranking 30th, Philadelphia is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.621). Arizona ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .741.
When the Diamondbacks allow at least one home run, they are 7-14. When the Phillies allow one or more homers, they have a 5-16 record.
