The Atlanta Braves (73-60) and Philadelphia Phillies (78-55) begin a four-game series on Thursday. The first pitch at Citizens Bank Park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Break down BetMGM Sportsbook's Braves vs. Phillies odds and make your best betting predictions and forecasts with MLB experts.
Season series: Braves lead 6-3
The Braves were favored at -136 with under (7.5) odds to beat the Minnesota Twins 5-1 on Wednesday. Left-hander Chris Sale earned his 15th win (six innings, one run, six hits, one walk, six strikeouts), tying him for the MLB lead in wins. The Braves got a solo home run by right fielder Jorge Soler and RBIs from first baseman Matt Olson and left fielder Ramon Laureano. Atlanta has won six of its last seven games.
Philadelphia lost to the Houston Astros on Wednesday as a +106 underdog, boosting their total (10) and ending their four-game winning streak at 10-0. RHP Taijuan Walker had a poor game, giving up 13 hits and six runs in six innings. The offense managed just three hits on the day. Despite the loss, the Phillies are 44-24 at home this season.
Braves vs Phillies predicted starting lineup
RHP Charlie Morton vs. LHP Christopher Sanchez
Morton (7-7, 4.24 ERA) is making his 25th start and has a 1.30 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 in 131 2/3 innings.
Last Appearance: Saturday vs. Washington Nationals, no win/loss, pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, two walks and six strikeouts in a 4-2 home win. 2024 On the Road: 3-3 in 11 appearances, with a 4.62 ERA (60 1/3 innings, 31 runs), a 1.19 WHIP and 9.4 strikeouts/9 innings. 2023 vs. Phillies: 0-1 in 2 appearances, with a 4.81 ERA (11 1/3 innings, 6 runs), a 1.89 WHIP and 9.5 strikeouts/9 innings. Has not played against Philadelphia this year.
Sanchez (9-9, 3.51 ERA) is making his 26th start and has a 1.27 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 in 146 1/3 innings.
Last start: Aug. 22, 3-2 loss vs. Braves, 6 innings, 3 runs allowed, 9 hits, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts 2024 home record: 7-3 in 13 starts, 2.18 ERA (86 2/3 innings, 21 runs allowed), 0.94 WHIP, 7.9/9 strikeouts
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Braves vs Phillies odds
Courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. For the complete list, visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds Hub. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:35pm ET.
Money Line (ML): Braves +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Phillies -160 (bet $160 to win $100) Run Line (RL)/Against the Spread: Braves +1.5 (-160) | Phillies -1.5 (+135) Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Braves vs Phillies predictions and forecasts
prediction
Phillies 4, Braves 3
Money Line
Passed.
I won't bet on money line or run line bets at all because I don't think either are safe and I'd rather save my money for sure bets – the totals.
Against run line/spread
Passed.
I'm not convinced the Phillies will cover the score line, nor am I going to make a killing with the Braves winning 1.5, the only thing for sure is the total.
Over/Under
Bet on 8.5 or less (-115).
This bet on Thursday is a great one. The last five meetings between these two teams have gone comfortably under that total. Both teams have played a lot of low-scoring, close games.
The Braves are 8-2 against the under in their last 10 games. The under was 2-0 and 1-tied in the Phillies vs. Astros series from Monday through Wednesday.
Morton’s past three starts have been under the total, and three of Sanchez’s past four starts have been under the total.
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