An exciting interleague series featuring division leaders kicks off on Monday as the Houston Astros (69-60, 1st AL West) face the Philadelphia Phillies (75-54, 1st NL East). Houston will wrap up a series in Baltimore on Sunday night after dropping two of three games. Meanwhile, the Phillies are competing in Kansas City, having split their first two games of the series (Note: This article was published prior to the results of Sunday’s games). This matchup marks the only series between these teams this season. Houston will send Ronel Blanco (3.14 ERA) to the mound, while the Phillies will counter with Zack Wheeler (2.73 ERA). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 EST at Citizens Bank Park, with coverage available on FS1.
Astros’ Journey Through the East Coast
The Houston Astros are currently navigating a week-long trip on the East Coast. After four games against the Orioles in Baltimore, they will head straight to Philadelphia for a three-game series against the Phillies. Entering Sunday Night Baseball, the Astros have faced struggles, losing two of their first three games on the trip. With a keen focus on maintaining their AL West lead, they hold a 4.5-game advantage over the second-place Mariners, who are 7.5 games out of the Wild Card race. The current scenario suggests that only one team from the AL West may secure a postseason spot.
Jose Altuve ignited the Astros’ offense on Saturday with a home run in his first at-bat against the Orioles, marking his 18th of the season. He has accumulated 56 RBIs while maintaining a solid .299 batting average. Additionally, Altuve leads the team in stolen bases, with 18. Shortstop Jeremy Pena also contributed with a home run, bringing his total to 14 for the season, alongside 60 RBIs and a .270 batting average. The Astros’ batting lineup is further bolstered by Yordan Alvarez, who boasts the highest batting average on the team at .306, although he was sidelined on Saturday due to a neck injury and is listed as day-to-day. Alex Bregman has returned from injury, contributing 20 homers and 60 RBIs this season.
Ronel Blanco, a 30-year-old right-hander, will take the mound for the Astros, marking his 25th start of the season. He holds a 9-6 record, and in his last five starts, the team has gone 3-2. Blanco’s 3.14 ERA ranks 10th best in the league, with 136 strikeouts against 55 walks, although he has allowed 20 home runs. His last outing against the Red Sox saw him last just 3.2 innings, giving up five earned runs in a loss.
Phillies’ Pursuit of Division Dominance
The Philadelphia Phillies have consistently held the lead in the NL East, currently enjoying a five-game cushion over the Braves. With aspirations of clinching the top seed in the National League, the Phillies are 1.5 games behind the Dodgers and currently tied with the Brewers in overall standings. In their recent game against Kansas City, the Phillies showcased their offensive power, clinching an 11-2 victory, with JT Realmuto hitting two three-run home runs to lead the charge.
After the game, Phillies’ manager Rob Thomson praised Realmuto’s performance, stating, “The first three-run homer, everybody exhaled at that point. Seven RBIs in one game is pretty impressive.” Realmuto, batting seventh in the lineup, has now hit ten home runs and accumulated 36 RBIs this season, maintaining a .262 batting average. Trea Turner also contributed significantly with two RBIs, raising his season totals to 14 home runs and 46 RBIs, with a batting average of .302. The Phillies’ formidable lineup is anchored by heavy hitters Kyle Schwarber, who leads with 28 home runs, and Bryce Harper, who follows closely with 26 homers.
Zack Wheeler, a 34-year-old righty, will make his 26th start for the Phillies. With a 12-6 record, he has had a mixed performance recently, going 2-3 in his last five starts. Wheeler’s 2.73 ERA ranks third in the league, and he is eighth in strikeouts with 170. He has allowed 17 home runs this season and issued 43 walks. In his most recent outing, Wheeler pitched six innings, allowing two runs against the Braves but ultimately suffered a loss.
Betting Insights for Astros vs. Phillies
The upcoming clash features two elite pitchers, yet Wheeler’s home advantage, superior ERA, and strikeout capabilities position him favorably for a Phillies victory. Ranking among the top ten in MLB for ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP, Wheeler has maintained a strong season. While both teams lead their divisions, the Phillies would be significantly ahead if they shared a division with the Astros. Philadelphia is currently at full strength, highlighted by Realmuto’s recent seven-RBI performance and Turner’s return to health. Additionally, the trio of Schwarber, Harper, and Bohm continues to pose a formidable threat at the plate. In contrast, Blanco’s struggles with home runs this season could prove critical against potent hitters like Schwarber and Harper. Following a rough outing against the Red Sox, where he allowed five runs in just three innings, Blanco will face stiff competition from Philadelphia’s lineup in this series-opener.
