Phillies Preview
Game 1: Phillies (0-0) at Washington Nationals (0-0)
Game Time: 4:05 pm
MoneyLine: PHI -176 WAS +148
O/U: 7.5
Starters: Phi-Zach Wheeler (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Wsh-Mackenzie Gore (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Phillies injuries-Ranger Suarez (back)-IL
Matt Strahm (finger)
Nationals injuries- DJ Herz (left elbow UCL sprain)-IL
Phillies to watch
Trea Turner- .353 lifetime vs. Gore, 3 doubles, 2 RBI
Nick Castellanos- .350 lifetime, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Alec Bohm- .294 lifetime, HR, 4 RBI
J.T. Realmuto- .250 lifetime, double, HR, 3 RBI, 7 K’s
Kyle Schwarber- .214 lifetime, 7 BB, 6 K’s
Nationals to watch
Josh Bell- .304 lifetime vs. Wheeler, 4 HR, 9 RBI
Paul DeJong- .333 lifetime, 2 HR, 3 RBI
Keibert Ruiz- .240 lifetime, 2 HR and 5 RBI
Phillies Notes-Castellanos and Schwarber in spring training hit the lowest on the team, as they batted .150 and .184 respectively. Max Kepler, the Phillies new left fielder, batted .375 this spring with 3 HR and 11 RBI. Alec Bohm batted the second highest, as he batted .370 with 3 HR and 8 RBI. Last season, Wheeler went 2-0 against Washington with a 2.29 ERA. IN 19 2/3 innings, he struck out 23 batters while walking 5, and Nationals batters hit .136 against Wheeler.
Washington Notes- Outfielder James Wood, led the Nationals this spring with 4 home runs, and knocking in 11 while hitting .283. In 2024, Gore was 1-1 against the Phillies with a 3.42 ERA. Phillies hitters batted .241 against Gore, and in 23 2/3 innings pitched, Gore allowed 20 hits against Philadelphia. Washington plays 9 of their first 12 games at home.
Starting pitchers in series:
Saturday-Phi-Jesus Luzardo (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Wsh-TBA
Sunday-Phi-Aaron Nola (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Wsh-TBA
Prediction- Anything can happen on opening day, but I will go with the Phillies batters having solid numbers against Gore, and Wheeler showing why he is the ace of the staff. The Phillies roster, know it is win or bust.
Pick: Phillies -176 and over 7.5
-David Weightman/ Olde City Sports Network