Braves vs. Phillies Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, July 27 (Morton Dazzles Again)

We've got a classic geriatric showdown between two elder statesmen as Charlie Morton takes on Kyle Gibson in the second game of this series between Atlanta and Philadelphia.

Morton, the 38-year-old breaking ball specialist, has a 2.52 ERA in July and limited six of his last seven opponents to two runs or fewer. That includes a matchup in late June with these Phillies, whom Morton and the Braves defeated, 5-3.

Gibson may feel like a young pup compared to Morton at 34-years-young, but he may need to learn a thing or too from Morton's experience. He's having a miserable month, compiling a 5.48 ERA and giving up six runs twice in four starts.

Can Gibson turn things around or will Morton propel Atlanta to a road victory?

Let's find the value in this Braves vs. Phillies contest by first looking at the consensus odds:

Braves vs Phillies Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Braves -1.5 (+115)
• Phillies +1.5 (-135)

Moneyline:

• Braves: -149
• Phillies: +127

Total:

• 8.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Braves vs Phillies Prediction and Pick

Charlie Morton is like wine, he gets better with age. That's true especially this year, as he's improved his ERA in every month. By September, the guy may be throwing shutouts every week at this rate.

Atlanta has an offensive edge as well, ranking eighth in OPS against right-handed pitchers over the last three weeks while the Phillies are 18th.

I expect the Braves to improve on that mark today. In Gibson's last two home starts, he's allowed 12 runs and five home runs in just 8.1 innings of work. Those implosions came against the Cardinals and Cubs too, a pair of clubs hitting considerably worse than Atlanta this month.

With a 15-5 record over their last 20 as road favorites, the Braves should handle the Phillies with ease while Morton continues his stellar stretch.

Pick: Braves -1.5 (-115)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.