Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the MLB regular season match.
The leaders of the National League's East and Central Divisions—the Philadelphia Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers—will begin their final head-to-head matchup of the regular season on Tuesday night. Should the Brewers succeed in the series, they would clinch the divisional title for the third time in the last four seasons.
Milwaukee Brewers
However, recent performances at their home arena haven't been favourable for the Milwaukee Brewers. The team has managed to lose two consecutive series to the St. Louis Cardinals (1-2) and the Colorado Rockies (1-2). Adding to their woes is the opponent’s choice of starting pitcher. The Brewers have mediocre stats against left-handed pitchers: a 24.4% batting average (17th in the league) and 42 home runs (18th in the league).
Philadelphia Phillies
With a couple of weeks left in the regular season, the Philadelphia Phillies appear to be the most complete contender for the title. Like any contender, the Phillies have their issues, but compared to their rivals, they seem minor: slight depth issues in the rotation and Bryce Harper's occasional home run drought. Yet, these nuances are hardly noticeable given their 11 wins in 14 matches in September.
Milwaukee Brewers vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction
The Philadelphia Phillies took the only series against the Milwaukee Brewers this season with a clean sweep (3-0), allowing just two runs. Nearing the end of the championship, the Phillies have not only maintained their pace but have seemingly gained momentum. The balance of power hasn’t shifted much, and we’re betting on the visitors.
