In the second of a two-game series between the Philadelphia Phillies (22-45) and the Baltimore Orioles (22-45) at Citizens Bank Park, Sean O Sullivan (1-5, 5.08 ERA) and Bud Norris (2-4, 8.29 ERA) get the start. The Phillies lost the last game 6-4, extending a nine-game losing streak. The game starts at 1:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jun. 18 and will air on MASN and CSN-PHI.
O Sullivan has an 8.64 ERA and a 0-0 record in his career against the Orioles, and faces a strong Baltimore offense that’s hitting .259 on the year. Ben Revere (.276, 31 Rs, 16 RBIs, 16 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one stolen base. In his pitching opportunities against the Phillies, Norris is 1-3 with a 4.21 ERA. He meets a struggling Philadelphia offense that’s batting just .236.
Philadelphia is a +142 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Phillies have a losing record of 19-39 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -1,808. They are 1-9 as the underdog over their last 10 games. American League games have been tough for the Phillies. Philadelphia has only averaged 1.8 runs per game compared to its 3.0 season average. Below average play has been the norm lately for the Philadelphia pitchers. The Phillies have given up an average of 6.2 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 4.7 runs per game.
Across the field, the Orioles have a nice record of 21-13 when they are favored and are +196 overall with the money line. They have played at the top of their game when rated as favorite recently. They managed a 5-1 record when playing as the favorite and an SU record of 8-2. The Orioles rank third in the AL in scoring, averaging 4.5 runs per game. Baltimore is one of the top hitting teams in the AL with an average of 8.7 hits per contest. Switching gears to Baltimore’s pitching staff, they have the fifth-lowest ERA in the AL at 3.68. They also allow just 8.0 hits per game, good for fourth in the AL.
So far this season, the Orioles are 3-0 against the Phillies. This game will feature Norris (RHP) on the mound against the Phillies, who have an 18-35 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Orioles will be the right-hander O Sullivan. They sport a 25-25 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – BAL, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Orioles play into extra innings, they have a 1-1 record. The Phillies are 2-4 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Orioles are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Phillies have a 3-18 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Phillies are 6-34. The Orioles have a 5-21 record when opponents outhit them.
Philadelphia ranks at the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 38 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at fourth with 81.
Ranking 14th, Philadelphia is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.92 per game. Baltimore ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.66.
Ranking 30th, Philadelphia is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.634). Baltimore ranks in the top five at fifth with an OPS of .739.
The Orioles are 19-21 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Phillies are 7-31 when they allow at least one homer.
