In the last of a three-game series between the Philadelphia Phillies (52-78) and the San Diego Padres (62-67) at Citizens Bank Park, Alec Asher (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and James Shields (9-6, 3.89 ERA) get the ball. The Phillies won the last game 4-3 and Philadelphia leads the series 2-0. The game gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30 and will air on CSPh and FSSD.
This is the first time Asher will take the hill this season. The Padres were unsuccessful to the Nationals 8-3 the last time Shields pitched. He went 5.2 innings, giving up five runs, striking out two and walking four. Matt Kemp (.265, 62 Rs, 15 HRs, 78 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one stolen base.
Philadelphia, a +145 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against San Diego. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. The Phillies have a losing record of 46-71 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -595. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Phillies has gone great. Over that span, Philadelphia is averaging 5.5 runs per game, well over their season average of 3.8.
On the other side, the Padres have a record of 32-25 when they are favored and are -602 overall with the money line. They have played at the top of their game when rated as favorite recently. They managed a 3-1 record when playing as the favorite and an SU record of 6-4. The Padres are known for their bats, hitting 343 extra base hits.
In their previous five games this season, the Phillies have a 5-0 record. The Phillies will take on a right-hander (Shields) in this game and have a 39-61 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Padres will be the right-hander Asher. They sport a 47-54 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – SD, O/U – Over
Notes
For the 23rd time this season, the Phillies registered at least two errors in a game.
The Phillies are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Padres have a 4-10 record when opponents give up that many walks.
It looks like the Phillies have a slight leg up on the Padres, as the Phillies have won their last two games while the Padres have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Phillies are 31-12. The Padres have a 46-13 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 24th in runs, Philadelphia has earned 497 this season. San Diego ranks 20th with 520 runs.
Philadelphia and San Diego both rank near the bottom of the league in walks. Philadelphia sits at 27th with 305 this season and San Diego ranks 22nd with 328.
When the Phillies hit at least one home run, they are 34-36. When the Padres hit at least one homer, they have a 43-25 record.
