Phillies vs Astros Betting Odds Preview: Phillies Digging for Wild Card
Astros Top the List As betting FavoritesÂ
It’s taken a while for the number to come out in this one, but when it does, expect the Astros to be a home favorite. It won’t be the usual high number with Aaron Nola getting the ball for the Phillies. Before making any decision check out our Phillies vs Astros betting odds preview by taking a deeper dive into both teams.
Game Information
- Game: Philadelphia Phillies (86-73) at Houston Astros (104-55)
- Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
- Day/Time:
- Streaming: Live Stream Sports
Phillies on Verge of Clinching Wild Card
A quick look at the MLB standings 2022 tells you two things. This could be the most exciting postseason in Major League Baseball history with the expanded postseason, and Philadelphia will punch their way to the dance with a win and a Milwaukee Brewers loss.
It hasn’t been an easy path for Rob Thompson’s team. Over their last 33 games, the Phils are 15-18, costing bettors 888 units. As an underdog, the Phillies limp into the postseason losing 7 of 9 (-474 units). That’s an important number when placing a wager because Ideally, you want to back teams who are playing well.
For instance, the Cleveland Guardians are in on the back of a 6-5 record as a dog down the stretch. As a road dog, the Fightin’ Phils have dropped four of five. None of these numbers indicate that Philadelphia is the side in this one.
With Nothing to Play for, Astros Keep Rollin’
Continuing our Phillies vs Astros betting odds preview, with just three games to play the Astros have clinched the best record in the American League, a record that will keep them second overall in baseball (Dodgers 110-49) no matter what happens in this series. For as unreliable as the Phillies have been, Dusty Baker’s team is sliding into the playoffs winning 27 of their last 38, good for 455 units of profit. Only three other teams (Cubs +1118, Guardians +878, Tigers +814) have been more profitable than the Astros money line over that span.
Baker’s betting record over the last three seasons has failed to turn a profit overall (228-153, -349 units) but his teams are fantastic as a favorite (202-113, +531 units).
Over their last 40 games, only the Atlanta Braves (+522) and Tampa Bay Rays (+512) have been better against the run-line where Houston has returned 398 units. Baker’s betting record over the last three seasons has failed to turn a profit overall (228-153, -349 units) but his teams are fantastic as a favorite (202-113, +531 units). A clear indication that his teams rarely overlook opponents they should beat, as is the case tonight. All this to say that when you talk about teams peaking at the right time, very few are doing it better than the Astros.
Oddsmakers Hesitant on Opening Number
This is the time of year when the acronym TBD is prevalent when looking for early numbers. With this being the last series of the regular season,18 teams have not listed their pitchers causing five games to not have a posted number.
The Phillies and Astros fall into both categories although various sites are indicating that Nola will start for the Phillies against Lance McCullers Jr for the ‘Stros. If they are the starters, we have not been able to identify how long they will throw. The obvious edge here is that McCullers who is making just his eighth start of the season will likely throw as if this game was in the middle of June after being hurt for most of 2022.
This idea is to get at least seven innings out of the former all-star to ensure he’ll be at full strength for the playoffs. In his limited time this season, McCullers has never given up more than three earned runs and that was in his second start against Atlanta.
To conclude our Phillies vs Astros betting odds preview, we’re putting our money behind McCullers who has given up just eight earned runs in his last 30.2 innings (2.35 era).
