San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies
PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — The Philadelphia Phillies will attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the San Diego Padres on Thursday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, where first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. under cloudy skies and a temperature of 82 degrees.
Philadelphia (32-29) has won the first two games of the series by identical 3-2 scores, extending its winning streak against San Diego to five games dating to a three-game sweep at Petco Park from May 25-27. The Phillies have not lost to the Padres since May 26, when San Diego edged Philadelphia 4-3.
Right-hander Zack Wheeler (4-1, 2.91 ERA) is scheduled to start for Philadelphia. The 35-year-old has been the staff’s most consistent arm, striking out 72 batters over 68 innings while walking just 14. Wheeler has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his nine starts this season.
San Diego (32-28) will counter with right-hander Lucas Giolito (2-0, 3.60 ERA). Giolito has made only three starts since returning from the injured list, but the Padres have won each of those outings. He pitched six innings of two-run ball in his most recent appearance May 29 against Washington.
The Padres have lost six of their past eight games, including a 4-2 defeat to the Nationals on Sunday. San Diego’s offense has managed just seven runs during its four-game series at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia’s bullpen has been sharp, with relievers Jhoan Duran and Cristopher Sánchez combining for four scoreless innings across the first two games. Catcher J.T. Realmuto has driven in three runs in the series.
According to Interstat’s game simulator, the Phillies are projected to win 5-3. Philadelphia is a -1.5 favorite on the run line, and the over/under is set at 8.
The game marks Philadelphia’s final contest at home before a six-game road trip to Toronto and Milwaukee. San Diego opens a 10-game homestand Friday against the New York Mets.