New York Yankees: Phillies Series Preview/Predictions
Game Three
New York Yankees @ Philadelphia Phillies
Jordan Montgomery vs. TBD
Wednesday, August 4th, 7:05 pm
In the third game of the series, the Yankees and Phillies will flip from the Bronx to Philadelphia as the Phillies host the final two games of the series. For the Yankees, it’ll be Jordan Mongomery, who has seen hardly any action over the past couple of seasons, against a pitcher to be named for the Phillies.
In game three the Yankees will be starting Jordan Montgomery, a player who appeared in only two games and four total innings in 2019, and only six games for 27.1 innings in 2018. However, this season, Montgomery has made one start so far, going 5.2 innings as he allowed only one run on five hits with four strikeouts and only one walk.
Pretty dang good considering he had appeared in only 31.1 innings over the previous two seasons combined, and the Yankees certainly hope he can put up similar numbers in his second start of the season, against the Phillies.
As for the Phillies, their starter has yet to be announced, but if Aaron Nola does in fact get the start in game two, I imagine game three will be newly acquired starter, Zack Wheeler.
Wheeler joined the Phillies ahead of the 2020 season, following five seasons with the Mets (and two that he missed due to injury.) In his first start as a member of the Phillies, Wheeler picked up the Phillies’ only win of the season thus far, as he went seven innings and allowed only five hits with one run, struck four out, and walked two.
Pretty good Phillies debut for Wheeler, but the Marlins and Yankees are two completely different teams, and he’s going to have his work cut out for him if he wants to get off to a 2-0 start as a member of the Phillies.
Prediction: Yankees win 5-4
If Wheeler is the starter for the Phillies in game two, I think the Yankees will come away with their second win of the series. Wheeler made two starts against the Yankees last season, and he lasted an average of 5.15 innings, allowed an average of 5.5 total runs (3.5 earned), and 7.5 hits.
With this, plus the fact that the Yankees’ bats are extraordinarily hot right now, and also the fact that Jordan Montgomery was very good in his first start of the season, I think the Yankees will be able to come away with the win in game three to take a 2-1 series lead.