The Atlanta Braves (18-12) visit the Philadelphia Phillies (12-14) for a weekend series at Citizens Bank Park, starting Friday at 7:05 p.m. ET. We analyze the Braves-Phillies MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Thursday: The Phillies had their game at the Washington Nationals postponed as the two clubs joined a national protest in standing up against racial and social injustice. The Braves had the day off after sweeping a Wednesday home doubleheader vs. the New York Yankees.
Braves at Phillies: Projected starting pitchers
LHP Robbie Erlin vs. RHP Zack Wheeler
Erlin: 0-0, 5.14 ERA (14 IP, 8 ER), 17 K in 5 games, including 2 starts
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 3K vs. Phillies last Saturday — Braves won 6-5
- 2020 vs. Phillies: 0-0, 8.10 ERA (6 2/3 IP, 6 ER), 1 start and 1 relief appearance
- Career vs. Phillies: 1-1, 3.21 ERA (28 IP, 10 ER) in 7 games, including 4 starts
Wheeler: 3-0, 2.76 (32 2/3 IP, 10 ER) in 5 starts
- Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 8 K vs. Braves last Saturday – Phillies lost 6-5
- 2020 vs. Braves: The 1 start above
- Career vs. Braves: 6-5, 3.93 ERA (91 2/3 IP, 40 ER) in 15 starts
Get some action on this game or any other matchup in the 2020 season with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!
Braves at Phillies: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
Braves
- 2B Ozzie Albies (wrist) out
Phillies
- RP Jose Alvarez (groin) out
- RF Jay Bruce (quadriceps) out
- SP Seth Romero (hand) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Braves at Phillies: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:44 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Phillies 5, Braves 4
Moneyline (ML)
The PHILLIES (-143) are the STRONGEST PLAY with Wheeler on the mound. Friday’s two starting pitchers faced off last Saturday with the Phillies right-hander holding the Braves scoreless through six innings before giving up a two-run homer in the seventh and then having the bullpen blow it by allowing four runs in the final two frames.
Atlanta (+130) took two of three at home vs. Philly last weekend, but look for the Phillies to draw first blood in this series and win a fourth in a row overall.
New to sports betting? Every winning $1.43 bet on the Phillies ML will profit $1. Every $1 bet on the Braves will profit a $1.30 if they prevail.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
PASS. Neither team has fared well vs. RL in 2020. The Phillies (-1.5, +135) are 10-16 vs. the RL overall and 6-9 at home. The Braves (+1.5, -162) are 13-17 vs. the RL and 6-8 vs. the RL on the road.
Philly is also 2-6 vs. the RL in its last eight games, while Atlanta is 4-4 in its last eight. AVOID.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 9.5 (-110) is worth a small-unit play. Both clubs average more than 5 runs per game – Phillies: 5.35 RPG; Braves: 5.07 RPG – but I expect this one to just stay Under the total. What worries me is that the Philadelphia bullpen ranks last in the majors with a 7.52 ERA. Will the relievers let Wheeler down again? (Small-unit play wagers should be half your usual bet).
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| Johnny’s 2020 MLB record | 35-17-1 |
| 2020 overall record (all sports) | 75-45-2 |
| Strongest plays (all sports) | 37-18 |
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