Opened as low as 8.5. Definitely don't love it and not playing much but do want a reason to keep "occupied" at least until Stars-Oilers begins. Taijuan Walker hasn't been very good for the Phils yet on the mound this year but loves June: Since 2014, his 2.71 June ERA ranks 5th in MLB among pitchers with at least 150.0 IP. I think he's capable of a quality start. Counterpart Lance Lynn has a 3.74 ERA in his past four and gets the lowest run support of all NL qualified starters at 2.67 per game. Feels like 5-4 to me.

The Phillies are about to go for the sweep today after taking two or three in St Louis at the beginning of the season. St Louis was playing great ball until they traveled to Philadelphia. They scored only three runs total in the two games. The Phillies have won three straight after a three-game losing streak on the road before the streak. Taijuan Walker has won five of his seven starts, all of which have gone over. That's what will happen today. Lots of runs, both teams score, and the Over is the play.

Goldy is having a rough season, but in the last two weeks has a .900 OPS, he is slugging .741 over his last 7 games. He was born in Wilmington, DE (basically a suburb of Philly, sorry) and has a career .899 OPS hitting in this ballpark with 22 driven in over 147 ABs. He has 6 RBIs in his last 7 games and is 5-for-10 lifetime vs struggling Taiquan Walker (5.51 ERA) with a HR and 5 RBI and Phils pen strained after Suarez left very early Sat after getting struck by a ball. Goldy has been better in day games all season, even when in his deep funk.

Just a sprinkle here and I'm partial to the H+R+RBI prop wherever you can find it, but a home run is on the table. Harper sees the ball well against Lance Lynn with six walks in 16 career plate appearances. Last time he saw him, he walked, lined out and flew out to the warning track. He's totally locked in right now, too, with a home run last night and eight in his last 26 games. That national tv spotlight doesn't hurt.

The Phillies are now 24-8 at home and even overcame Ranger Suarez having to leave Saturday's game early due to a hand injury. The Cardinals have been hot, but it hasn't mattered in this series because the Phillies are so much better. Cardinals starter Lance Lynn is due to get hit in this one, too, as his road numbers need a correction. The Phillies will take care of that, led by Bryce Harper, who is in line for another big night on national tv.

At 37 years young Lance Lynn is having a solid bounce back year after a rough season where it looked as if his decline was rapidly approaching. While his raw numbers have improved, his K Rate is the lowest it has been since 2017 and is below his career average. Lynn's 10% SwStr% and his 78.6% Contact% are both below his career averages. The Phillies sport the 8th lowest K Rate and the 6th highest OPS against opposing right handed pitching.