Philadelphia Phillies vs
Tampa Bay RaysPredictions & Preview

Top Handicapper Predicts Philadelphia Phillies Will Win Against Tampa Bay Rays, Sanchez to Shine on Mound

The Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays are set to continue their three-game series at George M. Steinbrenner Field, with the Phillies currently leading after a victory in the opening game. David Delano, a top handicapper on a hot streak, offers his prediction and premium picks for the game. The Phillies will have Cristopher Sanchez on the mound, while the Rays will start Shane Baz. Philadelphia is favored to win, with the current line at -120. Be sure to check out all our top MLB cappers for more insights into this matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Phillies -120 | Rays +106
• Spread: Phillies -1.5 (+140) | Rays +1.5 (-160)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Philadelphia will win straight-up is 55%.

Philadelphia vs Tampa Bay Stats

Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are currently second in the NL East, trailing the Mets. They have been playing solid baseball recently, with a strong offense that averages 4.68 runs per game, an 8th ranked .255 team batting average, and a .735 OPS. They have hit 34 home runs and have 30 stolen bases, showcasing their ability to score in multiple ways. Kyle Schwarber leads the team with 11 home runs and a .955 OPS, while Trea Turner has a .297 batting average. On the mound, the Phillies pitching staff has a 3.96 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, with 8 strikeouts per game and 15 quality starts. Cristopher Sanchez, the scheduled starter, has a 3-1 record with a 3.45 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Defensively, they rank 8th in fewest errors. The Phillies are ranked 11th in offense, 17th in defense, and have a 20-15 record.

Tampa Bay Rays Analysis

The New York Yankees currently have a less potent offense, averaging 3.85 runs per game (22nd), with a .245 batting average (13th) and a .681 OPS (20th). Although they have hit 28 home runs (24th), they are aggressive on the bases with 41 steals (4th). Junior Caminero leads the team with 6 home runs, while Yandy Diaz is the top hitter at .254 with a .708 OPS. On the other hand, the Tampa Bay Rays excel in pitching, boasting a 3.56 ERA (8th) and a remarkable 1.18 WHIP (6th). They average 8.41 strikeouts per game and have 15 quality starts (5th). Defensively, they rank 1st in fewest errors with 13. Shane Baz, the scheduled starter for Wednesday, has a 3-1 record, 3.86 ERA, and 1.17 WHIP, but is coming off a tough outing where he allowed seven earned runs in a 8-2 loss to the Royals. The Tampa Bay Rays have a power ranking of 15 and are ranked 22nd for offense, 7th for defense, and have an overall record of 16-19. The Philadelphia Phillies recently went 0-3 in their last three matchups against Tampa Bay.

Christopher Sanchez Shines as Key Contributor to Strong Philadelphia Pitching Staff

Christopher Sanchez has proven to be a valuable asset to the Philadelphia pitching staff, consistently delivering strong performances when given the opportunity to start. Over the last 13 games he has started dating back to last season, the Phillies have achieved an impressive 12-1 record. Despite some recent struggles in two out of his last three starts, Sanchez remains a reliable option on the mound. Additionally, Philadelphia's potent lineup gives them an advantage in this matchup. Therefore, I am favoring Philadelphia in this game.

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