Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves Betting Preview

National League East rivals are set to wrap up a three-game series on Thursday night in Atlanta. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies have split the first two games of the series, and there should be plenty of fireworks in this game on Independence Day. Philadelphia won the series opener by a score of 2-0, and the Braves responded with a 9-2 win in game two.
Atlanta has taken over first place in the NL East after getting off to a slow start. The Braves hold a 5.5-game lead over the Phillies with a record of 51-36 this season. Philadelphia has closed the gap a bit of late by winning six of their last nine games. The Phillies are right in the thick of the Wild Card race in the National League. Atlanta is -165 over the Phillies in the series finale on the 4th of July.
Soroka Pitching Well For Braves
Mike Soroka is in just his second season in the Major Leagues, but he will be an All-Star this season. Soroka has been dominant in almost all of his 14 starts this season, and the Braves have to feel good about their chances when he takes the ball. The 21-year-old is 9-1 with a 2.13 earned run average this season and hasn’t lost since April 18. Atlanta has had some trouble closing out games this season, but Soroka might take care of it himself.
First baseman Freddie Freeman will also be an All-Star again this season, and he has been putting on a show in 2019. Freeman leads the team with 22 home runs and 65 runs batted in to go along with a batting average of .309. People love to talk about the young talent of the Atlanta Braves, but it has been a veteran that has led them this season.
Harper Not Living Up to Contract
The Phillies and their fans were thrilled when Bryce Harper chose to play in Philadelphia, but he hasn’t delivered yet. Harper is hitting just .248 on the season but does lead the team with 60 runs batted in. Philadelphia is going to have to score runs to win games, and they need their best player to perform. Rhys Hoskins is leading the team with 19 long balls and a .395 on-base percentage.
Right-hander Zach Eflin will be on the mound for the Phillies on Thursday night, and he has pitched well this season. Eflin has gone just 7-7, but he does sport a very respectable 3.34 earned run average. The 25-year-old does lead the National League in complete games with two and has the ability to shut down a terrific Braves lineup.
Braves Win Second Straight
These two teams should be extremely competitive all season long, but the Braves have a red hot pitcher on the mound in this game. Soroka has been almost unhittable of late, and he should perform well against a Phillies lineup that strikes out a ton. Bet the Atlanta Braves -165 over the Philadelphia Phillies in this game.