Headed back to the South Side, where we are backing the Phillies after a gross loss to the White Sox in game one of this three-game series. The Phillies offense should be geared up to get a win back under their belt, and what a marvelous matchup they have waiting for them this evening. Let's get into it.
Philadelphia has been playing great baseball over the last two weeks, owning the eighth-best offense during that span. They are maintaining a .246 average, .484 SLG, and a 118 wRC+. Despite not being the most electric road team, Philadelphia is still putting up over two runs per game away from home. They now have the luxury of facing a struggling right-hander.
Phillies vs. Cannon
White Sox starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon finds himself with the fourth-worst pitcher rating on Batters-Box's current season board. He also holds poor matchup ratings in wOBA, ISO, hard contact, and strikeout percentage. According to Handigraphs, in Cannon's last three home starts he owns a 7.66 xERA, a 57 percent hard-hit rate, and a 1.64 WHIP. This feels like a dream matchup for the Phillies. Overall, this season the 25-year-old is giving up 5.5 hits, 2.2 extra-base hits, and 2.7 runs per outing. To make matters worse, 76 percent of his arsenal is graded below league average, per FanGraphs.
The Phillies have two elite-rated bats in this matchup, both left-handed: Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Left-handed hitters have been crushing Cannon all season long, batting .287 with a .500 SLG and a .369 wOBA.
After only putting up two runs in the first five innings last night in their 6-2 loss, this feels like an even better bounce-back spot for the Phillies lineup. I am also very confident that Schwarber leaves the yard. I will be on that as well, especially after he went hitless in game one.
Best Bet: Phillies First Five Team Total Over 2.5 (-110) odds via BetOnline
