Learn How to Watch the Phillies vs Athletics Game – May 25, 2025

Philadelphia Phillies

@

Athletics

As the Oakland Athletics prepare to host the Philadelphia Phillies on May 25, 2025, they find themselves in a challenging position. With a record of 22-31 this season, the Athletics are struggling, especially following their recent loss to the Phillies, where they fell 9-6 just a day prior. Meanwhile, the Phillies, sitting at 34-18, are enjoying a strong season and recently secured a victory in the same matchup.

On the mound, the Athletics are projected to start Gunnar Hoglund, who has had a rough year, posting a 1-2 record and a 5.06 ERA. Despite being ranked as the 208th best starting pitcher in MLB, Hoglund’s xFIP suggests he may have been unlucky and could improve. However, he faces a challenging task against the Phillies’ lineup, which ranks 6th in MLB and boasts an impressive 0.976 OPS from their best hitter.

Jesus Luzardo, the Phillies’ starter, is a stark contrast to Hoglund. With a stellar 5-0 record and a remarkable 1.95 ERA, he ranks 35th among MLB starters. Luzardo’s ability to strike out 6.5 batters per game further elevates his potential impact in this game.

While the Athletics offense ranks 10th overall, their inconsistency has been evident, particularly in their recent performance. They will need to capitalize on any opportunities against Luzardo if they hope to change their fortunes. The game total is set at a high 10.0 runs, reflecting expectations for offensive fireworks.

With the Athletics’ strong offensive rankings, they could be poised for a breakout performance, but they must overcome the odds against a Phillies team that has been rolling. The Athletics are currently listed as underdogs with a moneyline of +175, implying a 35% chance of victory. This matchup promises to be intriguing as both teams look to assert their dominance in this interleague series.

Philadelphia Phillies Insights

• Philadelphia Phillies – 1st Five Innings (F5) Moneyline (-185)
  Jesus Luzardo is an extreme flyball pitcher (34.5% FB% according to the leading projection system, THE BAT) and will be disadvantaged pitching in the #8 HR venue in the league today.
  Explain: This pitcher’s skill set does not match up particularly well with the park he’s in today, which may lead to worse-than-usual performance.
• Bryce Harper – Over/Under 1.5 Total Bases (-115/-115)
  Using Statcast data, Bryce Harper grades out in the 96th percentile for offensive ability according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X)’s version of Expected wOBA (xwOBA) this year at .377.
  Explain: xwOBA uses highly advanced Statcast data to measure a player’s overall hitting ability more accurately than actual wOBA can.
• Philadelphia Phillies – Moneyline (-205)
  The Philadelphia Phillies projected lineup projects as the 3rd-strongest on the slate in terms of overall offensive ability.
  Explain: A pitcher who faces a strong opposing offense will be more likely to underperform his usual performance, particularly in terms of hits and runs, in that game.

Athletics Insights

• Lawrence Butler – Over/Under 0.5 Hits (-115/-115)
  Lawrence Butler is projected to bat 7th in the lineup today, which would be a downgrade from his 87% rate of hitting in the top-half of the batting order this year.
  Explain: The lower in the order a player bats, the fewer plate appearances he will get and the fewer opportunities he will get to hit the Over for every market. A player who hits lower in the order than he normally does may provide extra value opportunity since the market may be based on him hitting higher.
• Athletics batters jointly have been among the best in Major League Baseball this year (9th-) as it relates to their 89.7-mph average exit velocity.
  Explain: Hitting the ball hard increases the chances of either a home run or the ball landing in fair territory for a hit before a fielder can get to it.

Betting Trends

• Athletics – Over/Under 1.5 1st Five Innings (F5) Team Total (-160/+125)
  The Athletics have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Team Total Over in 14 of their last 21 games (+6.35 Units / 24% ROI)
• Philadelphia Phillies – Moneyline (-205)
  The Philadelphia Phillies have hit the Moneyline in 33 of their last 51 games (+8.85 Units / 10% ROI)
• Trea Turner – Over/Under 2.5 Hits Runs and RBIs (+120/-155)
  Trea Turner has hit the Hits Runs and RBIs Over in 11 of his last 15 away games (+6.10 Units / 32% ROI)