Phillies start 3-game series at home against the Reds
Philadelphia; Monday, 6:40 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Andrew Abbott (0-0); Phillies: Cristopher Sanchez (0-0)
: Phillies -166, Reds +139; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies host the Cincinnati Reds to open a three-game series.
Philadelphia had a 90-72 record overall and a 49-32 record in home games last season. The Phillies pitching staff averaged 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings while giving up 4.4 runs per game in the 2023 season.
Cincinnati went 82-80 overall and 44-37 on the road a season ago. The Reds averaged 8.5 hits per game last season and totaled 198 home runs.
INJURIES: Phillies: Luis Ortiz: 15-Day IL (ankle), Rafael Marchan: 10-Day IL (back), Taijuan Walker: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Michael Rucker: 15-Day IL (hand), Orion Kerkering: 15-Day IL (forearm), Dylan Covey: 15-Day IL (shoulder)
Reds: Matt McLain: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nick Lodolo: 15-Day IL (calf), TJ Friedl: 10-Day IL (wrist), Sam Moll: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Ian Gibaut: 15-Day IL (forearm), Brandon Williamson: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Alex Young: 15-Day IL (back)
Three hitters off to scorching starts after MLB’s opening weekend
With the opening weekend of the 2024 MLB season over, plenty of players have made an immediate impact, including a few that have shown unexpected production for their teams. While the season is just starting and the samples are small, these performances have been noteworthy.
Here are three hitters that have come out of the gates hot in 2024.
Nick Martini, designated hitter, Cincinnati Reds
2024 MLB stats: .500/.556/1.375, two home runs and seven RBI in three games played
A career journeyman with only 141 games played in four major league seasons before 2024, Reds designated hitter Nick Martini has been one of the best stories from opening day weekend.
With a hit in all three appearances so far this season, the 33-year-old has already driven in seven runs for the Reds after hitting two home runs on opening day and a clutch two-run double after pinch-hitting in the second game.
The left-handed bat will likely continue to see the bulk of his playing time come when a right-hander is on the mound, and if he can continue to produce he will give the up-and-coming Reds another weapon off the bench when he doesn’t start.
Jared Walsh, first base, Texas Rangers
2024 MLB stats: .444/.444/.889, one home run and two RBI in three games played
An All-Star in 2021 as a member of the Los Angeles Angels, Walsh has gotten off to a hot start after two straight abysmal years that led to him parting ways with the Angels this past offseason.
After signing a minor league contract with the Rangers, Walsh was expected to compete for a bench spot in 2024. But starting first baseman Nathaniel Lowe went on the injured list to begin the season, opening a spot for the 30-year-old.
Starting the season 4-for-9 with one home run and one double, Walsh has looked like the slugger that hit 29 home runs for his now division-rival Angels during his only All-Star season.
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