The Philadelphia Phillies will host the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday afternoon. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Yankees-Phillies prediction and pick.

Philadelphia won a thriller against the Yankees on Saturday in a game that featured a ton of fireworks. New York was down by three runs in the top of the ninth inning when DJ LeMahieu hit a game-tying three-run homer to send it to extras. Philadelphia ended up securing the victory in the bottom of the 10th frame.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Yankees-Phillies odds.

MLB Odds: Yankees-Phillies Odds

New York Yankees +1.5 (-175)

Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+155)

Over 8 Runs (-110)

Under 8 Runs (-110)

Why The Yankees Could Cover The Spread

The New York Yankees' woes continue as they dropped the first game in Philadelphia on Saturday. They were down all game and fought their way back and sent it to extra's before Aroldis Chapman gave up the walk-off hit in the 10th. Despite the struggles, the pitching staff has performed well for the Yankees this season as they're top 10 in ERA, hits allowed, runs allowed, strikeouts, walks allowed, WHIP, and batting average against.

The Bronx Bombers have really struggled at the plate this season. They are a middle-of-the-pack team in most statistical categories including hits, home runs, batting average, slugging, and OPS. The Yankees are near the bottom of the Majors in runs and RBI as well. If Aaron Judge wasn't part of this Yankee club, they'd most likely be well below .500 on the season. He is top five in the American League in home runs, on-base percentage, and OPS.

The Yankees will send right-hander Domingo German to the bump for this Sunday matinee. German has really come alive this season following his 2020 suspension. The Yankee right-hander has a 4-3 record and 3.12 ERA through 11 starts this season. German has allowed an impressive .218 batting average against this season as well. He allowed one run on three hits in his last start against the Boston Red Sox.

Why The Phillies Could Cover The Spread

The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to turn a corner as they're 6-2 in their last eight games coming in. They won their previous two divisional series against the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals. For a team that has been average in most respects this season, the Phillies seem to have the capability of making a run down the stretch.

The pitching staff has been middle of the pack in terms of ERA, hits allowed, runs allowed, strikeouts, WHIP, and batting average against. They allow a ton of home runs as a staff, which has been their main downfall this far. The Phillies offense has been average this season but has really come together recently. They are in the middle of the Majors in runs, hits, homers, RBI, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, and OPS.

Philadelphia will send out right-hander Aaron Nola in hopes of clinching this series. Nola is 4-4 with a 4.06 ERA through 13 starts this season. Opposing batters are hitting .253 against the Phillies right-hander. He struggled in his last start as he allowed seven hits and four earned runs through five innings against the Braves. The good news for the Phillies is that Nola has been much better at home this season with a 3.03 ERA through his first six starts at Citizens Bank Park.

Final Yankees-Phillies Prediction & Pick

I like the New York Yankees to come out and steal a ballgame in Philly. Domingo German has played the role of stopper a few times this season and he has done it quite well. The Yankees right-hander seems to be picking up where he left off in 2019. Aaron Nola has seen his struggles this season and the Yankee lineup is lethal despite the recent struggles. New York is hoping that their late-inning heroics will carry over into this Sunday matinee.

FINAL PICK: New York Yankees +1.5 (-175)