Aaron Harang (5-11, 3.97 ERA) and the Philadelphia Phillies (42-65) go up against Brett Anderson (5-6, 3.14 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (60-46) in the second of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won the last game 6-2 and Philadelphia leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 5 and will air on CSPh and SNLA.
In his last start, Harang pitched 5.0 innings, giving up one run, striking out three and walking one in a 4-1 victory over the Braves. Maikel Franco (.282, 40 Rs, 12 HRs, 44 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and four RBIs. The Dodgers were unsuccessful to the Athletics 2-0 the last time Anderson pitched. He went 7.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out two and walking one. Yasmani Grandal (.295, 39 Rs, 15 HRs, 41 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well, going 2 for 5 yesterday.
Philadelphia, a +168 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Los Angeles. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. The Phillies perform poorly as an underdog with a 37-58 record and have an overall money line of -642. They are 7-1 as the underdog over their last 10 games. Philadelphia has averaged 5.9 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 3.7. Over their past 10 games, Philadelphia’s pitchers have been playing lights out, only allowing 3.2 runs per game, below their season average of 4.8.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Dodgers come into this game with a win percentage of .558 when playing as the favorite (53-42) and an overall money line of -902. They sport the fourth-ranked offense in the NL, averaging 4.1 runs per game. The Dodgers average 3.4 walks per game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the NL. The Dodgers are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 3.36 ERA this season. They have a WHIP of 1.19 on the year, good for fourth in the league.
In their previous five games this season, the Dodgers have a 3-2 record. This game will feature Anderson (LHP) on the mound against the Phillies, who have a 10-14 record when they take on a left-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Dodgers will be the right-hander Harang. They sport a 52-36 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
Philadelphia is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games.
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia’s last 8 games when playing LA Dodgers.
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers.
Philadelphia is 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers.
The Phillies managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Dodgers who are coming in with a 22-9 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Phillies are 13-51. The Dodgers have a 12-33 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 29th in home runs, Philadelphia has hit 73 this season. Los Angeles ranks fifth with 131 home runs.
Ranking 12th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.37 per game. Philadelphia ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.62.
Ranking 26th, Philadelphia is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.681). Los Angeles ranks in the top five at fifth with an OPS of .754.
When the Dodgers allow at least one home run, they are 24-31. When the Phillies allow one or more homers, they have a 20-45 record.
