Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies: Odds, Prediction
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Kevin Tompkins
Tuesday gives us the second part of a three-game mid-week series between two of the best teams in the National League: the Los Angeles Dodgers (63-38) and the Philadelphia Phillies (56-45). The Phillies took the first game on Monday night, with Trea Turner making up for several defensive miscues with two home runs and five RBI in the 10-7 win at Citizens Bank Park.
Before first pitch at 6:40 p.m. ET, let’s go over the betting angles, review both teams and then make a prediction for this game.
MLB Betting Odds and Trends
Even with the Dodgers sporting an incredibly dangerous lineup that can go off at any time, they’ve hit the under in three of their last five games and have scored four runs or fewer in seven of their last nine games.
Philadelphia’s projected starter is Zack Wheeler, who has been nearly untouchable this season with an ERA barely above 2.00. The under is in play tonight, but for the most bang for your buck, taking the Phillies and the run line is advantageous.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are the best team in baseball, and for a good reason. They’re one of the best offences in MLB and, coupled with their lights-out pitching, are the clear front-runner to bring home a third consecutive World Series. The Dodgers are stacked offensively with Shohei Ohtani (.932 OPS, 22 HR, 60 RBI), Andy Pages (.800 OPS, 17 HR, 68 RBI), Freddie Freeman (.844 OPS, 15 HR) and Max Muncy (.860 OPS, 18 HR) leading this offence. Imagine if they can get more out of big-ticket free agent Kyle Tucker (0.7 WAR, .702 OPS) or Mookie Betts (.730 OPS, 13 HR, 1.4 WAR)? The offence would be nearly unstoppable.
The pitching trio of Ohtani, Tuesday’s starter Justin Wrobleski, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto each boast an ERA below 2.78 and nearly 3.0 WAR. They’ve anchored the starting rotation amid injuries and ineffectiveness elsewhere. Los Angeles will get some reinforcements, though, as Tyler Glasnow recently pitched a bullpen session, plus Edwin Diaz and Blake Snell are on the road back to Los Angeles after making rehab appearances. The best in baseball are getting healthier and much better. That’s dangerous for every National League club looking to make a run for the pennant.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have been a very top-heavy team this season, and when their stars are on, they’re nearly unbeatable. Everything starts with their veteran trio at the top of the order, with Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Turner has disappointed for a large portion of the season, but he’s hitting his way out of it, bringing his average from .219 to .246 over the last month and change.
Schwarber has been hitting Schwarbombs all season, pacing Major League Baseball with 33 home runs and a top-30 OPS at .923. With the All-Star trio of Schwarber, Harper (.862 OPS, 21 HR, 60 RBI) and Brandon Marsh (.293, 16 HR, 47 RBI, .813 OPS) having a career year, the Phillies can slug with the best of them.
MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Dodgers vs. Phillies?
This matchup between the Dodgers and Phillies has the visiting Dodgers sending out Justin Wrobleski to the mound, who has given up two earned runs or less in six of his last eight starts. The Phillies, winners of four of their last six games, send out Zack Wheeler, who has been on a mission to prove he should have been an All-Star from the jump. The 36-year-old Wheeler sports a pristine 2.13 ERA and a 10-1 record as he toes the rubber for the Phillies.
For this game, it’s hard not to bet on the home team here with Wheeler, even though the pitching matchup against Wrobleski and the Dodgers is formidable. Still, the Phillies are on a slightly better run right now, and the tiebreaker skews to the veteran pitcher at home.
Best Bet: Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+149)
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