Giants vs Phillies Pick: SF Hopes to End Its Eastern Swing With a Victory (Apr 17)

• Our Giants vs Phillies pick assesses two prospective MLB playoff teams completing their 3-game series in Philadelphia
• San Francisco is completing a tough East Coast swing against the Yankees and Phillies
• Philadelphia is treading water at the moment, with veteran pieces struggling
• The Giants start flamethrowing righty Jordan Hicks; the Phillies counter with lefty Cristopher Sanchez

Hicks Hopes to Rebound From Rough Start vs Yankees

Jordan Hicks got off to a solid start in 2025 with a scoreless first outing, and a second outing in which he got through 5.1 innings despite giving up 6 hits and 3 runs. In his last start against the Yankees, he struggled badly, giving up 7 earned runs on 8 hits in 4 innings, taking the loss.

Hicks has handled the Phillies’ hitters with aplomb. No current Phillies batters have homered against him. Kyle Schwarber is 0 for 6, J.T. Realmuto is 0 for 5, and Bryce Harper is 0 for 1 with 3 walks.

Wilmer Flores, Jung Ho Lee, and Mike Yastrzemski are carrying the Giants’ offense. Flores, especially, is a surprise near the league leaders in home runs and RBIs. Prized free agent acquisition Willy Adames is scuffling, but it is only a matter of time before he starts hitting.

Sanchez Is an Understatedly Good Starter

Cristopher Sanchez is obscured by the Phillies’ more recognizable starting pitchers, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Jesus Luzardo, but that does not diminish his importance to the Phillies’ hopes. The lefty had a 3.5 bWAR in 2024 and has been very good in 2 of his 3 starts this season. In the third, he fought his way through and got the win. He has a 3.12 ERA and has struck out 19 in 17.1 innings, walking only 5.

Sanchez has had limited exposure to the Giants. Adames and Flores are each 1 for 4. Heliot Ramos and LaMonte Wade Jr. are 1 for 2. Yastzemski and Matt Chapman are 0 for 2.

Several Phillies are struggling at the plate. Trea Turner is batting in the .220s, Alec Bohm is on the interstate, and Brandon Marsh is hitting around .100.

Giants vs Phillies Pick: Philly Will End SF’s Trip on a Sour Note

The Giants have been playing well, but their hitting has been spotty, apart from Flores, Yastrzemski, and Lee. Philly has several hitters due to bust out and an afternoon game against Hicks is when they will do it.