- What: MLB Regular Season Game
- When: Saturday, July 13
- Who: Oakland Athletics vs. Philadelphia Phillies
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Where: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA)
The Athletics travel to Philadelphia to face the Phillies in a matchup of contrasting fortunes this season.
The Phillies have been one of MLB’s top teams, while the Athletics have struggled significantly, sitting at 35-60 and losing three of their last four games.
Oakland Athletics
Offensively, the Athletics have had difficulty scoring, and their pitching staff has not fared much better, consistently ranking near the bottom of the league.
Despite these struggles, players like JJ Bleday, Abraham Toro, Shea Langeliers, and Brent Rooker have shown promise.
Despite the team’s rough season, JP Sears and Mitch Spence have been a beacon of stability on the mound, mirroring last year’s poor performance.
Mitch Spence will start for the Athletics, boasting a 5-5 record, a 4.29 ERA, and a 1.26 WHIP. Over 79.2 innings this season, he has allowed 40 runs on 82 hits, with 18 walks and 66 strikeouts.
Spence Saturday ???? pic.twitter.com/WQoX2q6xLO
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) July 13, 2024
The Athletics are 7-14 in the 21 games Spence has appeared in, both as a reliever and starter. Facing the strong Phillies lineup will be a significant challenge for him.
The Athletics’ offense ranks among the worst in MLB. It is currently 28th with a team batting average of .224, a slight improvement from last season’s league-worst .222.
Brent Rooker leads the team in most offensive categories, hitting .279 with 18 home runs, 55 RBIs, a .361 OBP, and 81 total hits.
The Phillies are starting Tyler Phillips, making his first start of the season after a single bullpen appearance.
This uncertainty on the mound for the Phillies might just offer the struggling Athletics a slight advantage, sparking a glimmer of hope for their fans.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies, currently one of the top teams in MLB, are riding high with an impressive 61-32 record and a thrilling three-game winning streak as they enter this series.
Their offense, a force to be reckoned with, ranks third in MLB, and their pitching staff is widely regarded as the best in the league.
Key offensive contributors include Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh, Nick Castellanos, and Alec Bohm.
Despite a recent slump, the Phillies have been a dominant force this season. Ranger Suarez, Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, and Spencer Turnbull form a formidable pitching rotation on the mound.
Tyler Phillips will start for the Phillies with a 0-0 record, a 2.25 ERA, and a 0.75 WHIP.
Tyler Phillips takes the mound#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/NNSoeuIg5L
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 13, 2024
In his one game this season, he allowed one run on three hits, with zero walks and seven strikeouts over four innings, though the Phillies lost that game.
Phillips has been solid out of the bullpen, and his first start of the season comes against a struggling Athletics offense, presenting a favorable matchup for the Phillies.
The Phillies’ offense has been stellar this season. They rank third in MLB with a team batting average of .260, a significant improvement from last season’s .256.
Alec Bohm and Bryce Harper, the team’s standout performers, lead the team in most batting categories, a testament to their skill and dedication.
Harper tops the charts with a .298 batting average, 20 home runs, and a .394 OBP, while Bohm leads with 70 RBIs and 103 hits.
The Phillies face an interesting challenge against Mitch Spence, who has shown potential but struggles with consistency.
A’s-Phillies Best Bet
The Athletics have had a rough season, while the Phillies have been performing exceptionally well. Spence will have the pitching advantage over Phillips in his first start.
The Phillies also have a significant advantage when it comes to offense compared to the Athletics.
Despite this, I believe the Athletics will cover the run line and keep the game close, even if the Phillies end up winning at home.
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