PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* MLB PLAY OF THE DAY >> TOP PLAY FRIDAY!
(MLB) Philadelphia vs. Atlanta,
Money Line: -108.00 Atlanta (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -108.00 Atlanta (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Braves beat the Phillies 8-5 on Opening Day, as Freddie Freeman opened the floodgates with a two-run HR, Ozhaino Albies added a solo shot and Nick Markakis provided the final dagger with a walk-off, three-run blast in the ninth inning Philly manager Gabe Kapler said he plans to lighten the load of the starting rotation by leaning heavily on his relievers this season but raised eyebrows by lifting starter Aaron Nola in the bottom of the sixth inning after just 68 pitches with a commanding 5-0 lead. The new manager saw his bullpen implode, as five relievers allowed seven runs in just 3 1/3 innings! Maybe he has a Plan B?
The pitching matchup: Nick Pivetta (2017: 8-10, 6.02 ERA) willl get the nod for the Phillies on Friday, opposed by Atlanta's Mike Foltynewicz (2017: 10-13, 4.79 ERA). Philadelphia optioned 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta to Advanced Class-A Clearwater on Thursday as he continues to round into shape for his expected first appearance on April 8. Pivetta took his lumps last season, allowing 144 hits (25 HRs) in 133 innings, fashioning a 1.51 WHIP. However, some positives were his 140 Ks in those 133 IP plus he ended his up-and-down rookie season with a 16-inning scoreless streak and had 19 strikeouts in his final three starts, allowing two runs, 11 hits and eight walks over 17 innings (1.06 ERA). Foltynewicz posted a 6.34 ERA following the All-Star break in 2017, after coming into the break on a 7-1 run from May 12 through July 6. He spent the off-season focusing his attention on his mechanics and pitched exclusively out of the stretch in the spring.
The pick: Pivetta was 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA. against the Braves last season and Philly owned a 13-6 mark against Atlanta in 2017. However,only the SF Giants (with 26 wins) had a worse road record than Philly's 27-54 record in 2017 and yesterday's total collapse hardly inspires any confidence that things are about to change all that much in 2018. Remember, Foltynewicz was 10-2 in 16 starts (team was 13-3) from May 12 through August 5 before stumbling down the stretch. He can pitch and I'll make Atlanta a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: Nick Pivetta (2017: 8-10, 6.02 ERA) willl get the nod for the Phillies on Friday, opposed by Atlanta's Mike Foltynewicz (2017: 10-13, 4.79 ERA). Philadelphia optioned 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta to Advanced Class-A Clearwater on Thursday as he continues to round into shape for his expected first appearance on April 8. Pivetta took his lumps last season, allowing 144 hits (25 HRs) in 133 innings, fashioning a 1.51 WHIP. However, some positives were his 140 Ks in those 133 IP plus he ended his up-and-down rookie season with a 16-inning scoreless streak and had 19 strikeouts in his final three starts, allowing two runs, 11 hits and eight walks over 17 innings (1.06 ERA). Foltynewicz posted a 6.34 ERA following the All-Star break in 2017, after coming into the break on a 7-1 run from May 12 through July 6. He spent the off-season focusing his attention on his mechanics and pitched exclusively out of the stretch in the spring.
The pick: Pivetta was 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA. against the Braves last season and Philly owned a 13-6 mark against Atlanta in 2017. However,only the SF Giants (with 26 wins) had a worse road record than Philly's 27-54 record in 2017 and yesterday's total collapse hardly inspires any confidence that things are about to change all that much in 2018. Remember, Foltynewicz was 10-2 in 16 starts (team was 13-3) from May 12 through August 5 before stumbling down the stretch. He can pitch and I'll make Atlanta a 10* play.
