Braves vs. Phillies Prediction
The host Philadelphia Phillies used strong pitching and some timely hitting to win the series opener against the Atlanta Braves and close the gap at the top of the NL East. Can Philadelphia continue its winning ways for a second straight game as the series resumes tonight?
Game Snapshot
901 Atlanta Braves at 902 Philadelphia Phillies
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Citizens Bank Park at 7:05PM ET
TV: NBCSP (PHI)
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Phillies are a -117 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Braves are a +107 underdog, while the total is set at 8.5 runs. As of Tuesday morning, 58 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Atlanta. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Pivetta quietly getting it done
Philadelphia might have a couple other starting pitchers receiving more attention, but Nick Pivetta has been very consistent this season and has had only one poor start when he was lit up for six innings in an inning of work against the Nationals. But Pivetta was outstanding again Monday night in the series opener as he threw seven shutout innings in the 3-0 victory. He allowed four hits while striking out seven and walking one. Hector Neris threw a perfect ninth inning with a stirkeout for his ninth save. Nick Williams was 2-for-4 with a solo home run to help lead the offense, while Aaron Altherr contributed a pinch-hit two-run homer.
Vince Velasquez (4-4, 4.37 ERA) gets the start today for the Phillies
Braves unable to muster much offense
After Atanta scored 10 runs Sunday afternoon and rallied from five down in the ninth, the offense was a no-show Monday in Philly as it registered only five hits by five batters. Freddie Freeman led the way with a hit and a stolen base. Ozzie Albies, Nick Markakis, Kurt Suzuki and Dansby Swanson also contributed one hit. Mike Foltynewicz was the tough-luck losing pitcher as he surrendered only one earned run on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks over six innings.
Starting today for the Braves will be Brandon McCarthy (4-2, 5.05 ERA).
MLB Betting Trends
Atlanta
The Braves are 13-3 in their last 16 road games. Atlanta is 9-4 in its last 13 games overall.
Philadelphia
The under is 7-2 in the last nine Phillies games overall. Philadelphia is 21-7 in its last 28 home games.
Prediction:
A win by the Phillies here would put them in first place by half a game, where the Braves currently reside. Philadelphia has the starting pitcher advantage here and an offense that should be able to turn it up a notch after only scoring three runs last night. The line isn’t too steep, so I really like the Phillies to win again tonight.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES -117