The Philadelphia Phillies will host the San Diego Padres on Sunday afternoon for Game 5 of the NCLS. The Phillies defeated the San Diego Padres 10-6 on Saturday to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. After a slugfest last night, Philly is now in the driver's seat, just one game away from the first World Series appearance since 2009.
Zack Wheeler will be taking the mound Sunday for the Phillies. He went 12-7 with a 2.82 ERA this season, and he's been lights out in the playoffs as well. The Padres offense has a lot of firepower, but he led his club to a Game 1 win in San Diego earlier this week. The Phillies' righty was amazing in Philadelphia this season, ending the year with a 1.85 ERA while at home. Wheeler has a chance to lead his team to a pennant tonight and dating all the way back to the beginning of September, he's been unhittable. He tossed seven shutout innings versus Philly in Game 1, allowing just one hit and striking out eight in his team's 2-0 victory. If he can replicate this performance, the Phillies will be in a great position to finish off the series.
San Diego will tab ace Yu Darvish for Sunday's game. He had a 16-8 record with a 3.10 ERA in 30 starts this season. Last time out, during Game 1, Darvish tossed seven innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs, while he K'd seven in the loss. The San Diego right-hander has been solid in three postseason starts, sporting a 2.84 ERA, but the Padres will need Darvish to be at his best tonight with their season on the line. Philly's offense, led by Bryce Harper and his .410 postseason average, is tough to stop at the moment, but if anyone can do it, Darvish can.
San Diego Padres vs. Philadelphia Phillies Match Details
Fixture: San Diego Padres @ Philadelphia Phillies
Date & Time: Sunday, October 23, 2:37 p.m. EDT
Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
San Diego Padres vs. Philadelphia Phillies Betting Odds
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San Diego Padres vs. Philadelphia Phillies Best Picks
Last night we saw both starting pitchers get lit up, and the first inning ended with seven total runs on the board. Tonight should be a different story, though, with aces Wheeler and Darvish squaring off. On Tuesday, Game 1 ended 2-0, and no runs were put up through the first three frames. Expect the first inning to end scoreless tonight, as both pitchers should be able to record three quick outs in Game 5.
Pick: No Runs First Inning (-142)
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San Diego Padres vs. Philadelphia Phillies Betting Prediction
Including this series, the under has hit in 13 of the past 19 meetings between these two ballclubs. We saw 16 runners plated yesterday, but today's game should be pitcher-dominant. Expect Wheeler and Darvish to overwhelm hitters today, and we could see a scoreline close to the Game 1 finish of 2-0. Back the under here in this elimination game.
Prediction: Under 6.5 (+100)
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