Philadelphia is still 15-20 and still in the NL East basement, but the vibes are inching upward. They've taken 4 of 5, the rotation is finally looking like a rotation, and Cristopher Sanchez has been the steadiest arm on the staff with a 2.90 ERA. He took a tough-luck loss in Atlanta last time out, charged with 3 unearned runs after the defense crumbled behind him. Don Mattingly's group is going to need more nights like that one — minus the miscues.
The Athletics roll in at 18-16, which sounds fine until you remember they've been streaky as anyone in baseball. Luis Severino gets the ball and he's been a problem for himself — 5 walks over 3.1 innings against Atlanta, then 5 runs and 4 more walks against the White Sox. The strikeout numbers are still there, but if he's nibbling against this Phillies lineup at home, it's going to be a long night for the bullpen behind him.
The market clearly sees the pitching gap. Philly is a -185 home favorite with the run line sitting at -1.5, and the public money on the moneyline is piling on the Phillies (79% of bets, 82% of handle). Pinnacle's fair price implies a 63.6% Phillies win, so DK is shading the juice a hair past that — neither side grades out as a value play by EV. Total sits at 9 with the under getting the heavier ticket count.
- 10-Day-ILMax Muncy 3B — Muncy (hand) has yet to resume baseball activities, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILDenzel Clarke CF — Clarke (foot) has begun a running and hitting progression, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
- PaternityShea Langeliers C — Langeliers was placed on the paternity list Monday.
- 60-Day-ILGunnar Hoglund SP — Hoglund (knee/back) was a cortisone injection in his left hip on May 1, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DayChristian McGowan RP — McGowan will miss the remainder of the season following Tommy John surgery, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DayRene Pinto C — The Phillies signed Pinto to a minor-league contract Jan. 6.
- Day-To-DayDaniel Robert RP — Robert suffered a cardiac incident Sunday while preparing to throw a bullpen session and was taken to a local hospital, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
- Day-To-DayKeaton Anthony 1B — Anthony suffered a fractured toe after fouling a ball off his foot during Monday's Grapefruit League game versus the Red Sox, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
- Day-To-DayAndrew Bechtold 3B — Bechtold signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on Dec. 1.
- Day-To-DayMark Kolozsvary C — Kolozsvary (undisclosed) agreed to a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
- 15-Day-ILKyle Backhus RP — Backhus allowed one run on two hits across one inning of work as an opener Wednesday against the Cubs. He struck out one.
- 15-Day-ILZach Pop RP — Pop is slated to serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The injury news is mostly a bullpen story. Jhoan Duran is set to come off the 15-day IL, which is a real shot in the arm for a Phillies pen that's been patching through openers and rehab assignments for weeks. The A's are without Max Muncy (broken hand) and Shea Langeliers (paternity), so the lineup behind Severino is missing some thump and its primary backstop. That matters in a tight game.
The shape of this one is pretty obvious on paper: Sanchez throws strikes, the Phillies grind at-bats, and Severino either finds the zone or he doesn't. If the A's can scratch out 3 or 4 against Sanchez, they're live — he doesn't blow anyone away. If not, this is exactly the kind of spot Philly has been winning lately.