The Milwaukee Brewers (17-11, 9-3 away) take on the Philadelphia Phillies (13-15, 9-6 home) in National League play on Monday night. Monday’s contest is the first in a four-game set between the two teams and their first matchup of the season.
The first pitch of Monday’s contest is at 7:05 p.m. EST inside Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. The Phillies are favored on the moneyline (-113), and the run total is 9.
What to Know – Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee took three of four from the defending World Series champions over the weekend, now winners in nine of its last 13 contests. The Brewers play has taken them to the top of the NL Central standings, holding a one-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Right-hander Adrian Houser (2-2, 3.65 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) takes the mound for the Brewers, looking to log back-to-back wins. Houser tossed 5.2 innings his last outing, scattering five hits and allowing three earned runs. The 28-year old struck out a season-high seven batters and walked just one.
Offensively, the Brewers average 4.0 runs per game and bat .215 as a team. The Brewers offense has been hit hard by injuries early on this season, with Christian Yelich, Orlando Arcia, and Lorenzo Cain out for significant time. Travis Shaw has stepped up to provide a spark in the Brewers’ lineup, the third baseman leads the team in home runs (5) and RBI (21).
The Brewers’ pitching staff has been the anchor for the early success. Milwaukee’s pitchers rank sixth in the majors in ERA (3.32), fourth in quality starts (12), and tied for first in wins (17).
What to Know – Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies roll into the new week losers in three of their last four games, including two in a row by one run apiece. Philadelphia sits in third place in the NL East standings.
Vince Velasquez (0-0, 6.57 ERA, 1.95 WHIP) toes the rubber for the host. The 28-year old hasn’t thrown over 4.1 innings in an outing this season, logging just two starts. His last time out, Velasquez logged 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out a season-high five.
Philadelphia scores 3.7 runs per game behind a .232 team batting average. Outfielder Bryce Harper (.317) and catcher J.T. Realmuto (.312) are both off to solid starts at the dish. First baseman Rhys Hoskins is tied for fifth in the majors with a team-high eight home runs.
The Phillies’ stable of arms sport a 4.31 earned run average with nine quality starts posted this season. Philadelphia’s pitching staff has given up the ninth most hits (218) to opposing batters in the majors.
The Pick is In
Both offenses have struggled out of the gate, but Milwaukee’s pitching staff has excelled and will be the reason for the Brewers’ victory Monday night. The Phillies are coming down from a disheartening Monday Night Baseball loss and might come out flat tomorrow night.
The Pick: Milwaukee Brewers +110
