Phillies Hope to Stay Hot Against Dodgers
Dodgers vs Phillies Expert Picks Focuses on Philadelphia Bats
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies, the National League’s two best teams, continue their three-game series on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET) at Citizens Bank Park. Right-hander Gavin Stone draws the start for the Dodgers, opposing lefty Christopher Sanchez.
Philadelphia took the opener 10-1, hammering Bobby Miller for nine hits on 10 hits in four innings. The Phillies socked three home runs, including a grand slam by shortstop Trea Turner.
Philadelphia heads into Wednesday -1.5 (+145) on the run line and -135 on the moneyline, with Los Angeles +1.5 (-175) and +114. Meanwhile, the projected total is 9.5 with a slight edge to the Under at -112 odds.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both baseball teams and make our Dodgers vs Phillies expert pick.
Dodgers vs Phillies 
Day/Time:
Location: Citizens Bank Park; Philadelphia
Streaming: ESPN, ESPN+
Dodgers vs Phillies Betting Trends
The Los Angeles Dodgers are 45-47 against the run line, including 24-21 away from home. Los Angeles has been profitable for Over/Under bettors, going 48-43-1.
The Philadelphia Phillies, meanwhile, are 49-42 against the run line, covering in 54.1% of their home games. As for the Over/Under, Philadelphia is 41-45-5.
It’s important to remember these betting trends when assessing our Dodgers vs Phillies expert pick.
Pitching Wearing Thin
Losing ace Tyler Glasnow to the 15-day injured list is the last thing the Dodgers needed, especially with their injury-plagued pitching staff already scuffling. They have allowed 75 runs over the last 10 MLB games (average of 7.5), including 10 or more three times.
Fortunately, the Dodgers (55-37) built a big enough cushion that they shouldn’t have to sweat. Holding a 7.5-game lead on San Diego atop the National League West, they are on track to win their 11th division title in 12 seasons.
Oddsmakers, of course, see them as legitimate World Series contenders.
- The Dodgers, in fact, are +320 favorites to win it all on the MLB playoff odds board, ahead of the Phillies (+500), Yankees (+600) and Orioles (+650).
The Dodgers came into Philadelphia off a 3-3 homestand against the Diamondbacks and Brewers in which they were tagged for 43 runs (average of 7.1).
Amidst all their issues, including an injury to shortstop Mookie Betts, who remains out with a fractured left hand, the Dodgers still have Shohei Ohtani.
The two-time MVP has been worth every bit of the record-breaking $700 million contract he signed last December, powering the Dodgers’ potent offense. Ohtani ranks second in the majors with 28 homers after hitting 12 in June. He’s also top-five in both batting average (.315) and OPS (1.037).
In doing so, he’s separated himself as a -330 favorite to win his third MVP award, including the first in the NL. Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper is a distant second at +800, followed by Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (+1200).
Head of the Class
The Phillies’ lineup looks a bit more whole after Harper (hamstring) and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (groin) were both activated off the MLB injured list on Tuesday.
Philadelphia (59-32) owns baseball’s best winning percentage at .648 and leads Atlanta by 7.5 games in the NL East.
The Phillies went 3-3 on their recent road trip against the Cubs and Braves and are 6-4 over their last 10 games. Pitching remains their biggest asset, with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Ranger Suarez anchoring a staff that leads MLB in ERA (3.24) and strikeouts (833) and ranks second in quality starts (51).
Philadelphia is a -475 favorite to win the division (opened +300), though it remains behind Los Angeles in the NL pecking order. The Phillies have the second-shortest pennant odds at +275.
The Phillies have been profitable for bettors, covering the run line 53.9% of the time. That’s the sixth-highest cover rate in baseball. Be sure to keep that in mind when analyzing our Dodgers vs Phillies expert pick.
Pitching Probables
- Gavin Stone (9-2, 3.03) at Christopher Sanchez (6-4, 2.96)
Stone was spectacular in both May and June, combining to go 7-1 with a 1.97 ERA. Though he was hit hard in his last start against the Diamondbacks, where he allowed seven hits and four runs in three innings, Stone has a solid 3.03 ERA on the MLB season. His nine wins are tied for ninth-most in the majors.
The Phillies will counter with Sanchez, who is 6-4 with a 2.96 ERA. The southpaw struggled in his most recent outing, allowing seven runs on seven hits over four innings against the Cubs, but had thrown 16 scoreless innings in his two previous starts.
He is holding left-handers to a .210 average and .488 OPS over 62 at-bats. MLB player props project him to record 17.5 outs (-130) against Los Angeles.
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