Orioles vs Phillies Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 22 (9/22): MLB

Credit: photo by Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

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Preview

Tonight we have the Orioles taking on the Phillies. The O's enter this game firmly out of the playoffs. Their bats have been medicore and their pitching has been bad once again.  They'll look to keep getting better and finish out the season strong.  The Phillies enter this game 3 games behind the Braves in the NL East and 4.5 games back for the second wildcard spot.  They'll need to take advantage of these games against weaker opponents if they want to make a postseason push. 

Pitching matchup

Orioles

Keegan Akin (2-10, 6.93 ERA) wil be on the mound for the visiting Orioles when they take on the Phillies. Akin enters this game with a 1.61 WHIP and 5.92 XFIP, both very ugly numbers.  This season he carries a 17.9% strikeout rate along with an 8.9% walk rate.  Akin has been abysmal in the majors and that trend has continued this season.  He is a fly ball pitcher who allows contact and power to both sides of the plate, along with a high walk rate and low strikeout rate, all recipes for disaster.  He will have his hands full in Philly against a Phillies team who is fighting for a playoff spot and boasts some quality hitters throughout its lineup.

Phillies

Zach Wheeler (14-9, 2.83 ERA) will toe the rubber when the Phillies take on the Orioles. Wheeler enters this game with a 1.02 WHIP and a very nice 2.98 XFIP. This season he carries a nice 29.1% strikeout rate along with a low 5% walk rate. Wheeler has been dominant for the Phillies this season. He has been able to induce soft contact and keep the ball on the ground. Backed by a high strikeout rate and low walk rate Wheeler should have no problem attacking this weak Orioles lineup. 

Prediction

This one is pretty easy, take the runs and move on.  Though this Phillies team has struggled to consistently put runs on the board they have a perfect matchup against Akin to get those bats to wake up. Wheeler should be able to mow down this Orioles lineup and cruise to his 15th win of the season.

PICK: Phillies -1.5 (-140)

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