MLB Picks 6/13 – Philadelphia Phillies @ Arizona Diamondbacks

MLB Picks 6/13 – Philadelphia Phillies @ Arizona Diamondbacks

by Thomas Quaynor

The Philadelphia Phillies (32-24) are on the road facing the Arizona Diamondbacks (41-25) in the second of a 4-game set tonight. Arizona held on for a 9-8 win in the opener last night, it was their sixth straight win. Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto hit for the cycle (4-for-4) in the loss. Arizona is 3-1 against Philadelphia on the season. Tonight’s starters are Zack Wheeler (4-4, 3.91 ERA) for Philadelphia and Zach Davies (1-1, 4.68 ERA) for Arizona. 

GAME ODDS

Moneyline: Philadelphia -142,  Arizona +120

Run Line: Philadelphia -1.5 (+110),  Arizona +1.5 (-132)

Run Total: over 8.5 (-112)   under 8.5 (-108)

GAME STORYLINES

The Philadelphia Philles came into the season with high expectations after finishing 87-75 and making a surprising run to the World Series last year as the final Wild Card team. It was their first World Series appearance since 2009 and ended a 10-year postseason drought. A June 2 loss at Washington dropped Philadelphia to 25-32, they’ve since somewhat righted the ship by winning 7 of 8 games prior to last night’s loss. Philadelphia still finds themselves 8 games behind the first place Atlanta Braves in the National League East. 

One big problem for Philadelphia is they do not fare well away from Citizens Bank Park as they are 19-11 at home and 13-22 on the road. Philadelphia also has the fourth highest payroll in baseball and several of their high-priced players are either struggling or making regular appearances on the injured list. 

Philadelphia made a big splash in the offseason when they signed free agent shortstop Trea Turner to a massive 11-year, $300 million dollar contract in December. Turner has been a bit disappointing in his first season with the Phillies as he’s hitting just .245, which would be a career-low. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star is a career .298 hitter and led the National League in batting (.328) in 2021 splitting time with Washington and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Turner reunites with former Washington Nationals teammate Bryce Harper, who also signed a massive contract with Philadelphia in 2019. Turner and Harper played together for four seasons in Washington. 

Veteran right fielder Nick Castellanos has emerged as Philadelphia’s most consistent offensive player, he’s hitting .315 with 8 homers and 38 RBI in his second season with the club. After struggling in his first season with Philadelphia, Castellanos is well on pace to exceed last season’s 13 homers and 62 RBI. Power hitting outfielder Kyle Schwarber continues to be “all or nothing” at the plate this year smashing 17 homers while batting a paltry .172.

The Arizona Diamondbacks may be the biggest surprise in MLB this season as they currently have the best record in the National League at 41-25. Arizona also leads the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers by 4 games in the NL West. It’s been quite the turnaround for the Diamondbacks who are coming off three consecutive losing seasons and last made the postseason in 2017. The Diamondbacks are on pace to have their most wins since the 1999 season when they went 100-62.

Leading the way for the surging Diamondback is 22-year-old rookie phenom Corbin Carroll. The left-fielder is hitting .313 with 13 homers, 34 RBI and 19 stolen bases. He’s been on a tear of late hitting .536 (15-for-28) with 4 home runs and 9 extra-base hits over his last 7 games. Carroll is the clear frontrunner for National League Rookie of the Year and has an outside shot at winning the National League MVP at the rate he’s going. 

The trio of first baseman Christian Walker (.248, 12 HR 38 RBI), second baseman Ketel Marte (.280, 9 HR 26 RBI) and left fielder Luis Gurriel Jr. (.301, 10 HR 39 RBI) are also key contributors for Arizona. The 32-year-old Walker is coming off a 34 homer and 94 RBI season in 2022, both were career-highs.

THE PICK

The better team is the underdog here?? Take Arizona on the moneyline!