Phillies vs. Braves Tuesday Prediction
The Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves will continue their series on Tuesday night when the National League East members meet again at 7:35 p.m. ET. Following a 2-1 pitcher’s duel last night, will the Phillies and Braves bring out their bats tonight?
Game Snapshot & Odds
955 Philadelphia Phillies (-107) at 956 Atlanta Braves (-103); 8.5 runs
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
7:35 p.m. ET, SunTrust Park
TV: CSP (PHI); FSSO (ATL)
Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Phillies as a -107 favorite. As of this writing, 55% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Braves to beat the Phillies on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Phillies’ Pivetta off to a great start in 2018
Nick Pivetta did not get a decision despite allowing just two runs in seven innings as his club beat the Reds 4-3 in 12 innings on Wednesday.
He struck out seven batters without issuing a walk and yielded only five hits. The Reds eked out a pair of runs in the fourth inning but it didn’t take much of the shine off Pivetta’s strong outing.
Unfortunately, closer Hector Neris would blow the lead in the ninth inning to deprive Pivetta of the win. He has a surprising 2.70 ERA with 19 strikeouts and just two walks in 16 2/3 innings after three starts. He had a 6.02 ERA in 26 starts as a rookie last year.
Foltynewicz pitching well but not going deep into games
Mike Foltynewicz yielded three runs — two earned — in five innings Tuesday in a loss to the Nationals.
Folty fanned three in this one after totaling 15 strikeouts in his first two starts. He’s yet to throw more than 5 1/3 innings in any of his three starts, so that’s not ideal. Still, the Braves will take the 2.93 ERA. We’re not big fans of Folty in mixed leagues.
MLB Betting Trends
Philadelphia
The Phillies are 4-0 in Pivetta’s last four starts against the Braves but as a team, Philadelphia is 2-7 in its last nine meetings with its divisional rivals and 2-5 in its last seven games in Atlanta.
Atlanta
The Braves are 4-1 in their last five home games.
Prediction:
Tonight’s starters have pitched well in the early going but there’s reason to like the over tonight. Pivetta owns a 2.70 ERA but he’s also faced three offensively-challenged opponents. Meanwhile, Foltynewciz has yet to throw more than 5 1/3 innings in any of his three starts. The Atlanta forecast calls for 70 degree weather, making it one of the warmest games on the East Coast tonight. The over is 3-0-1 in Foltynewicz’s last four home starts versus the Phillies and is 3-1-1 in his last five outings against Philadelphia overall. The total sitting at a reasonable 8.5, I’ll bank on these two teams breaking out their bats following last night’s pitcher’s duel.
The Pick: Phillies/Braves over 8.5