Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview
Thursday features a matchup full of superstars as Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies (14-17) take on Trea Turner and the Los Angeles Dodgers (20-9). Los Angeles will host this one at Dodger Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:10 pm ET.
The Phillies come into this one off of a series win as they took two out of three from the Seattle Mariners. On Wednesday, they won the finale 4-2. Seranthony Dominguez took the win in relief after going 1.1 innings, giving up no runs, and striking out two.
Offensively, Rhys Hoskins hit his fifth home run of the season, a grand slam in the fourth inning. Alec Bohm also added two hits.
Shockingly, the Dodgers lost their series with the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates after losing the finale Wednesday 5-3. Daniel Hudson took the loss in relief, giving up a run on three hits in an inning of work.
The Dodgers mustered just five hits in the loss, and they left 16 runners on base. They will look to bounce back at home versus Philadelphia starting Thursday.
Los Angeles is the slight favorite playing at home. They are -144 to win while the Phillies’ moneyline sits at +122. The runline features Philadelphia +1.5 (-162), and the over/under for total runs is 7.5.
Phillies Trying To Find Consistency
On paper, the Phillies should have a team that can compete for the NL East this season. At just 14-17, though, they have yet to find any consistency. To date, they are 9-9 at home and a woeful 5-8 on the road.
Returning from the COVID-19 list, Zack Wheeler will take the ball on Thursday. This season, Wheeler is 1-3 with a 4.10 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and has struck out 25 batters in 26.1 innings.
In his last start, back on May 4, he went 7.2 innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out six in a no-decision against Rangers.
Offensively, Bryce Harper continues to put up solid numbers for the Phillies. The reigning MVP is hitting .269/.326/.521 with six home runs, 19 runs batted in, 24 runs, and six stolen bases. While Kyle Schwarber leads the team with seven home runs, Harper leads the Phillies in the other categories.
Harper has also had success against Dodgers’ starter Tyler Anderson. Albeit in just five at bats, Harper has two hits, including a solo home run.
Dodgers Look To Bounce Back From Ugly Series
At 20-9, the Dodgers have the best winning percentage in the entire National League. It is for that reason that it was all the more shocking they lost a series to the 13-17 Pittsburgh Pirates. They will now return home to Dodger Stadium, where they are 10-2 to this point.
In five games, lefty Tyler Anderson has been remarkable for Los Angeles. The 32-year-old is 3-0 with a 2.78 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and has 22 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. He picked up the win in his last start over the Cubs after giving up two earned runs in five innings of work.
As the everyday shortstop this year, Trea Turner has gotten off to a nice start for the Dodgers this season. In 112 at bats, he is hitting .259/.320/.366 with a home run, 21 runs batted in, 13 runs scored, and five stolen bases.
There are several players on the Dodgers who have had success against Wheeler in their careers, but it is worth keeping an eye on Cody Bellinger and Freddie Freeman. In 11 at bats, Bellinger is hitting .364 with four home runs. For Freeman, he is hitting .438 with two home runs in 48 at bats.
Take Dodgers To Win And Cover
Despite how ugly they played in Pittsburgh, the Dodgers are a whole different animal at home. Expect Los Angeles to play much better in front of their home crowd.
Additionally, the Dodgers’ players have had Wheeler’s number in their careers. Not only have Bellinger and Freeman had success, but there are six players on the Dodgers hitting .286 or better and five that have homered off of the righty.
Throw on the fact that Philadelphia is 4-9 in their last 13 against the Dodgers and 6-14 in their last 20 road games, and this seems like a solid betting opportunity for the Dodgers.
Take L.A. to both win and to cover the -1.5 runline.
