Padres vs Phillies MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
The offensive-anemic San Diego Padres will get a chance to gain some much-needed ground in the NL West when they square off in Game 2 of a three-game series against the struggling Philadelphia Phillies who are sitting surprisingly in last place in the NL East after winning the division for the past five seasons.
SD: Edinson Volquez (1-2, 2.98 ) v PHI: Roy Halladay (3-2 , 3.28)
Date/Time: Saturday, May 12, 7:05 PM ET
Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Broadcast: FSSD (San Diego), CSN (Philadelphia)
Spread: Phillies -200
Over/Under: 6.5
The Padres (11-21) entered the series on Friday hitting a National League-worst .220 this season, but they could take advantage of a Phillies'(14-18) bullpen which has been quite generous lately.
San Diego fell 6-2 at home to Colorado on Wednesday after winning the first two games of the series. It was the 15th time this season they’ve scored two runs or less.
That lack of offense hasn’t done much to help the pitching staff, including Saturday’s starter Edinson Volquez (1-2, 2.98), who will look to end his two-game losing streak.
The righty was moved up in the rotation from Sunday to Saturday after Joe Wieland landed on the 15-day disabled list following Wednesday’s loss to Colorado. The 28-year old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in all but one start so far this season and is sporting a 2.98 ERA.
Volquez lost his lone outing against the Phillies earlier this season, allowing three runs over six innings back on April 20.
That could be just the good news the Phils are looking for, coming into the series under .500 for the first time this late in the season since 2007.
Sure there is still five months to make a full recovery, but they still have to be concerned about the teams uninspired play to begin 2012. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The Phillies’ bullpen struggled in a 10-6 loss to New York on Wednesday, allowing eight runs over the final three innings. The team’s relievers have the worst ERA in the majors at 5.47.
Coming off that loss the Philadelphia bats have also showed signs of fracture, leaving 36 men on base over its last four games.
To the team’s defense, they have played without injured stars Ryan Howard and Chase Utley to this point, but the rest of the lineup has done little to help make up for their absences.
Pitching ace Roy Halladay (3-2, 3.28) will attempt to help lighten the offensive pressure after also being moved up in the rotation to accommodate Cole Hamels will return from suspension on Sunday.
The veteran right-hander allowed two runs over seven innings, while earning a no-decision against the Mets on Monday night. Despite not picking up the win he looked much better than he had in his previous outing, and looked like his old formidable self for a while.
Halladay allowed two runs over seven innings in his lone start against San Diego earlier in the year and took his first loss of the year in that contest.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Philadelphia– The Phillies have won seven of the last 10 meetings at Citizens Bank Park, and even though things look dreary, I expect them to get back on the rails with a good showing from Halladay who will dominate a weak Padres lineup.
