Philadelphia Phillies vs. Milwaukee Brewers Pick

Philadelphia Phillies (29-21) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (29-22), 5/24/19
Time: tonight
Where: Miller Park, Milwaukee,WI
Listed Pitchers: Jerad Eickhoff (2-2. 3.23 ERA, 1.13 WHIP) vs. Chase Anderson (2-0, 2.66, 1.31)
TV: NBCS Philadelphia, FS Wisconsin

Milwaukee just took three of four games in Philadelphia last week, but the Phillies get their shot at a little revenge when the teams begin a three-game weekend series in Beer City Friday night. Who do we like here for our free MLB pick?

MLB Betting Odds

As of this writing Friday’s MLB betting odds were holding off on lining this game, perhaps waiting for more certain word on the status of Milwaukee slugger Christian Yelich.

Phillies vs. Brewers Set-Up

Philadelphia just split four games with the Cubs in Chicago, winning Thursday’s series finale 9-7. The Phillies jumped out to a 7-0 lead through 3 ½ innings Thursday, then hung on from there.

Last weekend Philly swept three games at home from Colorado. So the Phillies are 5-2 over their last seven games.

At 29-21 overall Philadelphia leads the NL East by a game and a half over second-place Atlanta.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, just split two games at home with Cincinnati, losing Tuesday 3-0 but winning Wednesday 11-9. The Brewers trailed the Reds in that second game 5-0 early and 8-6 into the sixth, then put up a five-spot and hung on from there.

Last weekend Milwaukee lost two of three games in Atlanta. So the Brewers are 2-3 over their last five games.

At 29-22 overall Milwaukee sits in second place in the NL Central, a game and a half back of the division-leading Cubs.

This series is the second meeting between these teams this season. Just last week Milwaukee took three of four games in Philly, outscoring the Phillies 26-13.

Friday’s Starting Arms

Anderson is 0/3 on quality starts this season, mainly thanks to a very short leash. Last Saturday he limited Atlanta to one unearned run and two hits, although he also walked four, through four innings of a game the Brewers eventually lost 4-3. And over his last three starts he’s only allowed two ER and eight hits through 13 2/3 innings, but he’s also walked nine over that span.

More: Free Picks From Kevin West

Milwaukee is 2-1 in Anderson’s starts this season.

In his most recent start against Philadelphia, last June, Anderson got tagged for six runs and two home runs through 5 1/3 innings of a 10-9 Brewers defeat.

Eickhoff is only 2/6 on quality starts this season and 0 for his last two. Last Sunday he gave up four runs and three home runs through five innings against Colorado, although the Phillies won that game 7-5. And just before that he gave up five runs and eight hits, including a pair of dingers, against this Milwaukee outfit in a 6-1 Philadelphia defeat.

On the season the Phillies are 4-2 with Eickhoff, 4-1 over his last five starts.

That loss to the Brewers last week was Eickhoff’s first start against them since 2017.

Friday’s Batting Splits

• Philadelphia is batting .241/.331/.402 against right-handed pitching this season.

• Milwaukee is batting .248/.332/.429 against RH pitching this season. But this lineup could again be without MVP Christian Yelich, who’s missed recent action with a sore back.

The Bullpens

• The Phillies bullpen owns a 3.95 ERA this season and a 1.39 WHIP.

• The Brewers bullpen owns a 4.27 ERA along with a 1.24 WHIP.

Totals Report

• Unders are 27-22 in Phillies games this season.

• Unders are 30-20 in Brewers games this season.

• Unders are 13-12 in games played at Miller Park this season.

• Totals are split 2-2 in Phillies-Brewers games this season.

• Unders are a combined 7-2 in games started by Anderson and Eickhoff this season.

Free MLB Pick

Philadelphia is playing the better ball as of late, Yelich is iffy and the Phillies will probably be getting the underdog price when the line on this one comes out. And it would be fitting that Philly took this series, after Milwaukee took that one last week. We’re going with the Phillies for our free MLB pick for Friday.