Phillies vs Giants Prediction Today | MLB Odds, Expert Picks for Wednesday, May 17
Via Dustin Bradford/Getty Images. Pictured: Taijuan Walker #99 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the first inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.
- The Giants host the Phillies on Wednesday afternoon as San Francisco looks for the series sweep.
- San Francisco has struggled with strikeouts this year, and Taijuan Walker generates them at an above average rate on the mound for Philadelphia.
- Tony Sartori breaks down the matchup and shares his top MLB betting pick below.
Phillies vs. Giants Odds
| Phillies Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -120 | 9.5 +100 / -122 | -1.5 +132 |
| Giants Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
+102 | 9.5 +100 / -122 | +1.5 -160 |
The NL West's San Francisco Giants host the NL East's Philadelphia Phillies in the third and final game of this series on Wednesday afternoon.
After winning each of the first two matchups, San Francisco looks to complete the sweep at Oracle Park.
Here's a look at the odds, as well as my Phillies vs. Giants betting pick.
Philadelphia Phillies
Right-hander Taijuan Walker will take the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon. It has been a difficult campaign for the veteran, who is 3-2 with a 5.75 ERA and 1.38 WHIP through eight starts.
However, Walker's one strength is generating swings and misses. After recording five or more strikeouts in five of his eight starts, and three of his past four, expect him to continue racking up strikeouts in this contest.
Currently, the right-hander ranks in the 89th percentile in Chase Rate. This is a product of his six-pitch arsenal that is dominated by a nasty split-finger fastball.
His unpredictability/uniqueness is his greatest strength, which is why he makes hitters chase despite being a below-average pitcher. Walker has now posted a K% north of 20% in six of his first seven seasons in the MLB, surpassing 22% four of those six times.
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants' 19-23 record this season is a good indication of the team they are. The Giants can win games and compete, but they are still pretty much below-average in every facet of the game.
Struggling at the dish this year, the Giants rank in the bottom half of the league in runs scored per game and hits per game. However, their greatest weakness as a lineup is striking out.
Entering this matchup, San Francisco ranks second-to-last in the league in K% when facing right-handed pitching, only beating out the historically bad Oakland Athletics. Looking at Wednesday's projected lineup, the strikeout could continue to be an issue as seven of the nine projected hitters possess a K% north of 21% this season.
Taking Thairo Estrada out of that equation, then six of the remaining eight hitters possess a troubling 25% or higher K% this season.
Phillies vs. Giants Betting Pick
Averaging 5.25 strikeouts per game over his past four starts, Walker should have no issue getting over his strikeout prop against this Giants lineup. While it is certainly not the largest sample size, this current San Francisco lineup possesses a terrible 31.4 K% and 37.9 Whiff% through 35 career plate appearances against Walker.
Even if the right-hander has another poor outing, he should still eclipse 4.5 strikeouts against a lineup that strikes out at a staggering rate.
Pick: Taijuan Walker Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-102 | Play up to -120) |
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