Phillies vs D’Backs Odds: Phillies slight favorite on Monday
Philadelphia Small Favorites Over Arizona
The surprising Arizona Diamondbacks welcome the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game series beginning Monday. The Phillies vs D’Backs odds for the opening game have Philadelphia -109 with a total of 10-over (-115). Arizona is +170 (-1.5) on the run line. The Diamondbacks are sending Tommy Henry to the mound. The Phillies will counter with southpaw Matt Strahm.
The Phillies are hovering around the .500 mark on the season. There’s one primary reason for that. The Phillies stink on the road. At home, Philadelphia has gone 19-11. However, the road is different, where the Phillies are just 13-22. Philadelphia is also just 11-19 when playing teams above .500. That doesn’t bode well going up against Arizona.
The Phillies are No. 11 in team batting average but No. 21 in runs scored. Philadelphia isn’t getting the big hit when it’s needed. On the mound, the Phillies are No. 20 in team ERA. Pitching needs to get better if the Phillies are going to make a run in the playoffs.
The Diamondbacks aren’t much better in the pitching department. Arizona’s team ERA is 4.26, which is No. 18 in MLB. But the Diamondbacks are No. 5 in team batting average and No. 4 in runs scored. Nobody expected the Diamondbacks to lead the NL West at this point of the season. So Arizona is enjoying its time in the first place.
Arizona is getting solid relief pitching despite the loss of Joe Mantiply, who fell victim to the MLB injuries report. He appeared in eight games.
Philadelphia Phillies vs Arizona D’Backs
Day/Time:
Location: Chase Field
Monday’s Game
The Phillies are 4-4 when Strahm starts, and he’s thrown reasonably well for the Phillies. He has better numbers at home than on the road, which fits well with the Phillies’ home and away play this year. But Philadelphia did attract some overnight money, as the Sunday night Phillies vs D’Backs odds were Arizona -120.
Arizona is 6-2 in the eight starts Henry has made. He’s only pitched seven innings once, so the Diamondbacks should get some innings from the bullpen. Henry has thrown better at home this season, and Arizona is on a five-game winning streak.
Both teams hit left-handers better than they do right-handed starters. The Phillies are scoring .5 more runs against southpaws and Arizona scores .3 more runs per game. In one of the more intriguing MLB matchups for Monday, the over is worth a good look in this one.
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Tuesday’s Game
Zack Wheeler is expected to start for the Phillies and Zach Davies for the Diamondbacks. Wheeler has posted better numbers on the season, as the Phillies have gone 7-6 in his starts. Philadelphia is 3-3 in his six road starts.
Davies has missed some time, and this will be just his sixth start of the year. The Diamondbacks are 4-1 with Davies on the mound. He’s pitched well for the most part, having one rough outing against the Dodgers, which hurts his ERA. He’s thrown well in his last two starts.
The line should be pretty close to even. Wheeler is a bit more of a name pitcher, but the Diamondbacks have the better NBA record and are at home.
Wednesday’s Game
Ranger Suarez is expected to start for the Phillies. Merrill Kelly will get the ball for Arizona. The Phillies vs D’Backs odds here will see Arizona as good-sized favorites. Kelly has been pitching well this season. The Diamondbacks have won his last five starts and are 9-4 when he starts.
The Phillies are 4-2 with Suarez on the mound. One of those wins was a 6-5 victory over Arizona on May 24. Suarez didn’t pitch well, allowing five runs in five innings. But the Phillies’ bullpen was able to throw four scoreless innings. Philadelphia tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the ninth and won in the 10th.
Kelly didn’t pitch against the Phillies in the last series. But they’ll need him to be on his game here. The Diamondbacks are worth a good look in this one as long as the line isn’t too high.
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