The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies resume their best-of-5 NL Division Series at 4:37 p.m. ET Friday game at Citizens Bank Park. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Braves vs. Phillies odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Playoff series: Tied 1-1
NL East champion Atlanta went 3-for-4 with runners in scoring position en route to bouncing back from a 7-6 Game 1 loss to win 3-0 in Game 2. The clutch hitting helped the Braves win despite failing to homer for just the 2nd time in its last 13 games, including the regular season.
The Phillies on Thursday were held without a round-tripper for the 5th time in their last 6 games. Philadelphia will likely be glad to get back home where it has banged out 19 home runs in its last 11 games. The Phils logged a robust .840 OPS in going 7-4 in those 11 home games. They ended the season on a long road trip before heading into their Wild Card Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Philadelphia has not had a home game since Sept. 25.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Braves at Phillies projected starters
RHP Spencer Strider vs. RHP Aaron Nola
Strider appeared in 31 games (20 starts) in the regular season. He registered an 11-5 mark while posting a 2.67 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 13.8 K/9.
- Has not pitched since Sept. 18 (6 IP, 1R allowed on 1H against these Phillies) due to a late-season oblique strain
- Logged a regular-season road ERA of 3.25
Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) had a 0.96 WHIP, 1.3 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 through 205 IP in 32 starts in the regular season.
- Had a 2.60 ERA, 0.90 WHIP in his last 5 starts of the regular season
- Pitched Game 2 against St. Louis: 6 2/3 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K
- Owns a 3.46 ERA, 0.95 WHIP over his last 3 seasons at Citizens
Braves at Phillies odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:37 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Braves -108 (bet $108 to win $100) | Phillies -112 (bet $112 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+160) | Phillies +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -135 | U: +107)
Claim your risk-free bet up to $350. Catch the excitement and start betting with Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Bet now!
Braves at Phillies picks and predictions
Prediction
Phillies 4, Braves 2
Moneyline
Strider returning from injury is a wild card here. His overall numbers — and certainly his strikeout numbers — have been just tremendous all around. But lefty bats do increase a lineup’s chances against him. The Phils — with OF Kyle Schwarber and maybe DH Bryce Harper — may be able to get a cross an odd run or 2 in the first 3-4 innings.
Due to a 4.27 ERA in the regular season (23rd MLB), the Philadelphia bullpen figures to be underrated. But that group does well to limit hard contact and was undone by a .314 batting average on balls in play. For this one, that Philly bullpen is well-rested.
BACK THE PHILLIES (-112).
Run line/Against the spread
Too. Much. Juice. AVOID.
Over/Under
In a bit of an against-the-grain play, figure these offenses being a tad overrated. A lot of lofty numbers have been posted against lesser pitching than when they’ll see Friday. Throw in the Philadelphia relief angle, and the UNDER 6.5 (+107) is a solid wager.
Want action on this game or any other MLB contests? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]