The Philadelphia Phillies will attempt to complete a four-game sweep as they face the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine on Sunday. It's time to continue our MLB odds coverage with a Phillies-Dodgers prediction and pick. 

 

The Phillies defeated the Dodgers 8-3 on Saturday for their third straight win in the series. Jean Segura started things off when he whacked a 1-1 pitch into the bleachers in left field for a three-run bomb. It was his sixth in 2022 and gave the Phillies an early 3-0 lead. Then, Mookie Betts answered back when he cracked a 2-2 pitch to the opposite field for a solo home run. It was his sixth in 2022 and cut the deficit to 3-1. However, Philadelphia struck again in the third when Bryce Harper crushed a curveball into the back of the bullpen in right field for a three-run home run. It was his ninth of 2022 and put Philadelphia up 6-1. 

Later, Kyle Schwarber clobbered a curveball into the seats in center field. It was his ninth of the season and gave the Phillies a 7-1 lead. Two batters later, Rhys Hoskins plundered a changeup into the stands in left field to propel the Phillies to an 8-1 lead. Julio Urias finally left the game after allowing four home runs. Cody Bellinger responded in the next half-inning with an RBI double that brought in two to cut the deficit to 8-3. However, the Dodgers could not score any more as they lost their fourth game in a row. 

Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Phillies-Dodgers MLB odds:

MLB Odds: Phillies-Dodgers Odds 

Philadelphia Phillies: +1.5 (-166)

Los Angeles Dodgers: -1.5 (+138)

Over: 8.5 (-105)

Under: 8.5 (-115)

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Why The Phillies Could Cover The Spread

Philadelphia is on fire right now and will turn to Aaron Nola to keep the flame lit. He is 1-4 with a 3.83 ERA in 2022. Nola struggled in his last start, tossing 5 1/3 innings while allowing five runs (four earned) and nine hits against the Seattle Mariners. It ended a string of quality starts at three. Now, Nola hopes to bounce back against a Dodgers team looking to break out of a slump. His job is to shut down this dangerous Lois Angeles lineup and not give them any hope. The offense certainly will support him. 

The Phillies hit four home runs in last night's game which put them at fourth in the majors in the long ball category. Now, Philadelphia hopes to continue bashing the ball. Harper, Schwarber, Hoskins, and Segura all contributed last night and will look to replicate the effort. Philadelphia knows how to crush the ball, as they rank first in slugging percentage. 

The Phillies will cover the spread if Nola can bounce back and deliver a quality start. Additionally, He needs support from a Philadelphia offense that has scored 29 runs in three games. If the Phillies put up seven or more runs, then they will win this game. 

Why The Dodgers Could Cover The Spread

Los Angeles will turn to Michael Grove in his major league debut. Grove is a 2018 second-round pick that possesses a fastball that ranges between 96 and 99 MPH. Also, he has a deceptive slider that fooled many in Double A. Grove will start for a Dodgers team that is hurting, with Clayton Kershaw and Andrew Heaney both spending time on the IL. Now, the pitching prospect will get to prove himself against a dangerous lineup. 

The Dodgers need help from their lineup. Los Angeles left six runners stranded last night and their hitters could not deliver consistently. Freddie Freeman is the key against Philadelphia. He did not get a hit last night and has not driven in a run since last week. Today, he will get a chance to redeem himself and bring home some runners.

The Dodgers will cover the spread if Grove can give them an excellent start in his debut. Additionally, Los Angeles cannot allow the long ball. Grove must command his pitches and locate the strike zone. He also must deceive hitters with his slider. Finally, the offense needs to deliver with runners on base. If the Dodgers can perform better in this situation, then they will win the game. 

Final Phillies-Dodgers Prediction & Pick

The Phillies might sweep the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. Philadelphia has won four in a row, and Los Angeles has lost four in a row. However, the Phillies will face a pitcher they have virtually no film on. When pitchers make their major league debuts, they usually dominate the lineup or allow multiple runs in spades. Grove has the stuff to sniff out a solid debut, and the Los Angeles lineup is too potent to struggle again. Expect the Dodgers to somehow avoid the sweep, and cover the points. 

Final Phillies-Dodgers Prediction & Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (+138)