Pirates-Phillies in Battle of Pennsylvania | IXGAMES
This has been a pretty lousy year for the Philadelphia Phillies (22-39, minus-13.41 units). It could get even worse this Friday when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates (32-27, plus-0.41 units) in the first of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies have lost six of their last seven games, while the Pirates are 14-5 since May 20. Game time is 7:05 PM ET. Kevin Correia (4.67 FIP last year) is scheduled to make his Philly debut after signing a one-year deal this past Monday. The 34-year-old righty was pitching in the minors after failing to crack the San Francisco Giants rotation this spring. Correia, who was with the Pirates in 2011 and 2012, posted a 4.60 FIP in six starts at AAA-Sacramento. Pittsburgh responds with southpaw Jeff Locke (4.26 FIP), who’s down 1.71 betting units this year on a team record of 5-6. Locke made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2011; he’s one of their more interesting pitching prospects, but hasn’t quite put it together on a consistent basis yet – only two of his last nine games were quality starts. However, current Philly hitters are a combined 7-of-52 lifetime against Locke with a tiny .355 OPS.