The Atlanta Braves (18-13) will look to rebound from a 7-4 loss against the rival Philadelphia Phillies (13-14) Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch is set for 1:15 p.m. ET. We analyze the Braves-Phillies betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
Braves at Phillies: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Josh Tomlin vs. RHP Zach Eflin
Tomlin: 1-1, 3.93 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 23 K, 4 BB, 18 1/3 IP, 2 starts, 8 relief appearances
- Moved from the bullpen to the rotation to start each of his last two games. Didn’t go deeper than 4 innings in either outing.
- Started the year with five straight scoreless outings but gave up 4 runs in just 3 innings last time out.
Eflin: 1-1, 5.12 ERA, 1.552 WHIP, 29 K, 8 BB, 19 1/3 IP, 4 starts
- Is striking out 13.5 batters per nine innings but with 3.7 walks per nine. Has been saved a bit by a 0.9 HR/9.
- Earned the win last time out by holding the Braves to 3 earned runs over 5 1/3 IP. The Phillies won 5-4 in Atlanta.
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
- OF Adam Duvall (ankle) questionable
Phillies
- OF Jay Bruce (quadriceps) out
- RP David Robertson (elbow) 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 10:50 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Braves 7, Phillies 4
Moneyline (ML)
The Phillies (-129) won Friday’s series opener, but look for the BRAVES (+115) to flip the script as underdogs in Game 2. They’ve been the better team all season and still sit first in the National League East.
The head-to-head season series is tied 4-4 with all but two games being decided by multiple runs. Tomlin can be given a very slight edge in the starting pitching matchup, and the Braves have MLB’s fifth-ranked bullpen with a group ERA of 3.29. Phillies relievers combine for a league-worst 7.27 ERA.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Braves would return a profit of $11.50.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Get better value with the BRAVES -1.5 (+165) on the alternate run line. Three of four wins for both teams have been decided by 2 or more runs this season. The Braves also rank fourth in MLB with a .814 team OPS against right-handed pitching and will be able to get to Eflin early.
Over/Under (O/U)
Lean slightly to the OVER 10.5 (-110). Five of the eight head-to-head meetings this season played to the Over, and they combined for 11 runs Friday.
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