Phillies vs. Braves Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, August 2 (Runs Will Be Scarce With Spencer Strider in Atlanta)

It is Game 1 of a big NL East series with major Wild Card implications. The Philadelphia Phillies are 55-47 as they head down to Atlanta to face the Braves. The Atlanta Braves sit in second in the division at 62-41. This two-gamer will be the fourth and fifth times these teams have already matched up in the second half. 

Nick Nelson gets the start for Philly, his second of the year, and Spencer Strider makes his 12th start of the season. Both pitchers have done some work out of the bullpen this year, Nelson has pitched in 26 games out of the pen, Strider has done so 11 times. 

Odds are available for this NL East series at WynnBET Sportsbook.

Phillies vs. Braves Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line

• Phillies +1.5 (-105)
• Braves -1.5 (+115)

Moneyline

• Phillies +200
• Braves -240

Total

• 7.5 (Over -110 / Under -110)

Phillies vs. Braves Prediction and Pick

Nick Nelson is not getting converted into a starter for the Phillies, he is simply serving as an opener in this one. He has done so one other time this season and worked two innings and gave up one run in a loss to St. Louis. 

The Phillies bullpen has worked the fourth least innings in the league this year, and because of that limited exposure, they have found some success. They have the 13th best ERA in the league. Perhaps more importantly, they have allowed the sixth least home runs per nine innings of any bullpen. That matters against Atlanta which has the second most home runs in the league and is led by MVP candidate, Austin Riley. 

Spencer Strider did start the year in the bullpen and made the transition into one of the best young starting pitchers in baseball. His last start came against Philly and he allowed one run over six innings and only worked six strikeouts. I say only because he has the highest K% in the MLB at 37.2%. 

I like Atlanta in this one, but I don't see a ton of value. It is scary to do, but if we trust the Phillies bullpen to keep the Atlanta offense down, then the under seems like the best play. 

Lean: Under 7.5 (-110)

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