That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies: Five players to watch in the Cubs series this weekend

By John Town

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 27: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 27, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nationals won 5-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 27: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 27, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nationals won 5-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Phillies
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 18: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after popping up to third base in the sixth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on August 18, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Anthony Rizzo

As mentioned in the intro, the Cubs are red-hot coming into this series. Anthony Rizzo has played a huge part in their recent success. The three-time All-Star has been unstoppable at the plate with a .354/.440/.636 line, seven home runs, 17 runs batted in, 14 walks, and just 11 strikeouts in 27 games this month.

Rizzo started off the season poorly with a .149 batting average and .448 OPS in April and just a .246 average and .748 OPS in the first half. However, he had a strong month of July and even stronger July to propel his 2018 numbers up to a .280/.375/.478 line, 22 home runs, 86 runs batted in, and 2.3 wins above replacement. His final numbers may not live up to his previous levels of production, but he remains a threat at the plate.

In Chicago’s first series with the Phillies this season, Rizzo tormented them, hitting two home runs, collecting four hits and a walk, and driving in four runs. Considering how well he has done recently, he could be a threat to do even more damage this time around.

One thing that should be noted about Rizzo this year is that he has been significantly better at Wrigley Field. In home games, he has a .338 batting average and 1.017 OPS, driving in 52 runs. However, on the road he his hitting just .230 with a .707 OPS and 34 runs batted in. Hopefully, those road struggles continue while he is at Citizens Bank Park.

Home/Phillies News