by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, May 03, 2022
Time: 6:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Where to watch: Bally Sports Southwest Extra, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Phillies -165, Rangers +145
WynnBet: Phillies -150, Rangers +140
Caesars: NL
Season record
Rangers: 8-14
Phillies: 11-12
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Rangers - Phillies preview and analysis
The Texas Rangers have decided to hit a groove. Whether or not it can translate into more wins and getting this group back to .500 at some point remains to be seen, but the Rangers’ bats have been coming alive evidenced by their two-of-three win over the weekend against the Atlanta Braves.
Texas will keep the NL East flavor going when they hit the road for a series against the Philadelphia Phillies that starts at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday.
The Rangers, after losing twice to the Astros and dropping the series opener to the Braves, won the last two which included a 7-3 win over the defending World Series champs off the heels of a Corey Seager homer, and a three-run knock from Adolis Garcia in the eighth inning.
"It was nice to have a lead and keep it," said Texas third baseman Charlie Culberson, a Georgia native and former Brave. "Nice to win a series."
The Rangers ended up going 3-4 in the seven-game homestand, which isn’t going to be a calling card for this team’s hopeful expectations down the road. But if Seager can continue to rake at this rate – three straight games with a home run – then at least the return will be worth the investment going forward.
Not that Seager hasn’t been great – it’s just taken a little time, like most teams dealing with offense have had to go through. But the Rangers still would benefit from the big bats to get going. Seager and Garcia have been able to do that, but they could benefit from Marcus Semien breaking out of his slump.
Semien went 0-for-4 on Sunday with his average plummeting to .149. Seager is batting .271 and Garcia has boosted his average up to .220, but not all can be Nathaniel Lowe hitting .313 at the moment.
But even if the Rangers are just 8-14, they can look on the bright side knowing they aren’t struggling with the high expectations that the Phillies are playing with. Philadelphia got smacked by the New York Mets like they were Chris Rock.
The Phillies are coming off a series loss to the Mets, losing 10-6 at Citi Field on Sunday Night Baseball, but to no fault of Kyle Schwarber. The struggling slugger broke out of the slump on Sunday with two homers, including one from his knee, but the Phillies’ pitching staff failed them a great deal in this one.
Zach Eflin lasted only 4.1 innings and gave up eight hits and five runs on 85 pitches.
"I thought we did a good job today with our at-bats off him," Schwarber said of Scherzer. "I thought he had his good stuff out there."
Sometimes, that’s all you can ask for. Then again, you could ask for better hitting. Bryce Harper is batting .253. Rhys Hoskins batting .200. Schwarber at .200. Jean Segura at .229. This team is underachieving so badly right now and it’s just ridiculous.
Prediction
Much like the way the Los Angeles Angels got the bats going against the Rangers, I have no doubt that’ll happen again, especially if Jon Gray returns to the rotation for Texas as expected. Philly needs to get the bats going, and they will. Phillies win 8-4
Betting trends
Rangers are 7-10 this season as an underdog.
Rangers are 47-45 against NL East opponents since 1997.
Phillies are 6-2 as a favorite of -150 or more this season.
Phillies are 6-0 as a home favorite between -150 and -200 this season.
Projected lineup
Rangers:
Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Adolis Garcia (R) RF
Corey Seager (L) SS
Mitch Garver (R) C
Nick Solak (R) LF
Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B
Andy Ibanez (R) DH
Charlie Culberson (R) 3B
Eli White (R) CF
SP - Jon Gray
Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Adolis Garcia (R) RF
Corey Seager (L) SS
Mitch Garver (R) C
Nick Solak (R) LF
Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B
Andy Ibanez (R) DH
Charlie Culberson (R) 3B
Eli White (R) CF
SP - Jon Gray
Phillies:
Jean Segura (R) 2B
Rhys Hoskins (R) 1B
Bryce Harper (L) DH
Nick Castellanos (R) RF
J.T. Realmuto (R) C
Kyle Schwarber (L) LF
Alec Bohm (R) 3B
Johan Camargo (S) SS
Odubel Herrera (L) CF
SP - Ranger Suarez
Jean Segura (R) 2B
Rhys Hoskins (R) 1B
Bryce Harper (L) DH
Nick Castellanos (R) RF
J.T. Realmuto (R) C
Kyle Schwarber (L) LF
Alec Bohm (R) 3B
Johan Camargo (S) SS
Odubel Herrera (L) CF
SP - Ranger Suarez
Statistical leaders
Rangers:
Batting average: Nathaniel Lowe -- .313
Hits: Nathaniel Lowe -- 26
Home runs: Two tied -- 4
RBI: Adolis Garcia -- 18
Wins: Brock Burke -- 2
Saves: Two tied -- 1
ERA: Dane Dunning -- 3.81
Phillies:
Batting average: Nick Castellanos -- .286
Hits: Nick Castellanos -- 24
Home runs: Kyle Schwarber -- 7
RBI: Kyle Schwarber -- 16
Wins: Two tied -- 2
Saves: Corey Knebel -- 4
ERA: Kyle Gibson -- 2.93
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
