6:40PM ET NY Yankees (+125) vs PHI Phillies (-145)
Luis Gil vs Zack Wheeler
We get a potential World Series preview tonight with the Yankees and Phillies squaring off to start a new series. While the pitching matchup promises to be a good one for baseball fans, we are gamblers! So let's dive in and find a best bet for this game.
Breaking Down the Matchup
Luis Gil takes the mound for the Yankees. After experiencing a rough patch earlier in the season, Gil appears to have found his form, allowing just three earned runs combined in his last three starts. Gil's recent performances indicate he has regained control and confidence, making him a formidable opponent for the Phillies, who have shown vulnerabilities against right-handed pitching.
Zack Wheeler will pitch for the Phillies. While Wheeler has been a reliable ace for Philadelphia, this matchup presents a unique challenge. The Yankees' lineup is stacked with hitters who thrive against right-handed pitching, making this one of the toughest lineups Wheeler has faced all season.
The Yankees' offense has been bolstered by the addition of Jazz Chisholm and the potential return of Giancarlo Stanton, who is expected to be activated for this series. Furthermore, Austin Wells has been heating up, adding depth to an already potent lineup. Eight out of nine Yankees batters have better splits against right-handed pitchers. This includes stars like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, who are particularly effective against righties. The Yankees are on the upswing, shaking off their bad stretch of games from the first half of the season. This resurgence in form adds to their offensive threat.
Philadelphia thrives against left-handed pitching but has shown less effectiveness against right-handers like Gil. The Phillies are experiencing their first rough patch of the season, struggling to find consistency out of the All-Star break. This slump puts them at a disadvantage against a resurgent Yankees team, that just took 2 of 3 from the Red Sox. While Wheeler has been excellent this season, he gets his largest test tonight.
Best Bet
The combination of Gil's recent resurgence, the Yankees' strong lineup against right-handed pitching, and the Phillies' struggles out of the break create a favorable scenario for New York.
PICK: YANKEES ML (+125)