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The Philadelphia Phillies take on the Atlanta Braves. Check out our MLB odds series for our Phillies Braves prediction and pick.
Ranger Suarez takes the bump for the Phillies, while Charlie Morton gets the ball for the Braves.
Ranger Suarez has a 4.12 ERA. Each of his last two starts have been against the Dodgers, so Suarez will welcome the chance to face another team. He was solid in the first of the two starts against Los Angeles, but he then allowed three runs in just three innings on May 20 in his most recent outing. He struggled against the Rangers on May 3 but then shut out the Mariners in six innings on May 9. He has been inconsistent from one start to another, but on a broader level, he has allowed more than three runs in only one of eight starts, so he hasn't allowed opponents to post big numbers against him. He has usually stayed out of the big inning this season, which is something to keep in mind when making a Phillies Braves prediction.
Charlie Morton has a 4.95 ERA. He had a very rough April. In a four-start sequence from April 14 through May 3, Morton gave up 17 runs in 18 1/3 innings. In his other four starts this season, including his three most recent appearances, Morton has given up six runs in 21 2/3 innings. Morton has allowed just four runs in his last three starts, though he hasn't pitched past the sixth inning in any of them. He is getting better, but the Braves would like him to pitch into the seventh inning a few times to relieve the strain on the bullpen.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Phillies-Braves MLB odds.
MLB Odds: Phillies-Braves Odds
Philadelphia Phillies: +1.5 (-142)
Atlanta Braves: -1.5 (+118)
Over: 9 (-102)
Under: 9 (-120)
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Why The Phillies Could Cover the Spread
The Phillies have a loaded batting order. They have cooled off in recent days, but they won three straight games earlier this month against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, and they crushed Dodger pitching in those three games. The Phillies came within one out of sweeping a four-game series in Dodger Stadium. That was the weekend in which the Phillies looked like a National League pennant contender. There is enormous potential on this team, and if the Phils can unlock that potential more consistently, they are a huge threat in the National League. The second wild card team is just a few games above .500 (St. Louis Cardinals), so the Phillies know that if they can make a run, they will be in the hunt for a playoff spot. This is something to keep in mind when formulating a Phillies Braves pick.
Why The Braves Could Cover the Spread
After winning Tuesday night, thanks in part to an awful fielding error by the Phillies' outfield, the Braves should enter this game with confidence and should feel they have the upper hand against Philadelphia. The Braves have lingered below .500 for a long time this season, which is similar to last season. This team knowss it can turn on the jets at any time, and a come-from-behind win such as Tuesday's could be the spark which ignites this team and gets it into gear. Charlie Morton has also been improving. That matters.
Final Phillies-Braves Prediction & Pick
If Charlie Morton continues to get better and settle into a rhythm, the Braves should be favored in nearly every game he pitches. Let's start here against the Phillies, trusting that Morton will do the job.
Final Phillies-Braves Prediction & Pick: Braves -1.5
