Dodgers vs Phillies Betting & Prediction: L.A. Favored In Series Opener

The Los Angeles Dodgers (25-12) and Philadelphia Phillies (18-20) will be very familiar with one another by the end of the weekend. They begin a three-game set tonight just five days after a wild four-game series between the two teams in which the Phillies took three of four. See below for more insight on this matchup as well as a Dodgers vs Phillies prediction.  

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Dodgers vs Phillies Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

Just like their previous matchups this season, oddsmakers have made the Dodgers the favorite in the series opener, despite the fact they have lost four of their last five games vs the Phillies. The total opened at 9. Each game of their series last weekend went OVER with 58 total runs scored in the four contests. 

Get the best Dodgers vs Phillies odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Starting Pitchers

The pitching matchup is a rematch from six days ago. Julio Urias, getting the ball for the Dodgers, is 2-3 with an ERA of 3.00 in seven starts this season. He was roughed up for four home runs by these same Phillies last Saturday in an 8-3 loss. Urias went six innings in that game, giving up eight runs, five of them earned.  

Ranger Suarez counters for the Phillies. He picked up the win on Saturday vs the Dodgers to improve to 4-1 on the season. He went seven innings, surrendering three earned runs on five hits while striking out six. This will be his third career start vs Los Angeles. 

Dodgers Tops In A Number Of Statistical Categories

It’s pretty easy to figure out how the Dodgers have the best winning percentage in the National League. They have the best team ERA in baseball at 2.85 and only the New York Yankees have allowed fewer runs (115) than L.A.’s 120.  

Offensively, they have scored a majors-best 203 runs so far this season. A big reason for their success is their patience at the dish as they have drawn 154 walks, more than any other team. 

It doesn’t hurt either that their lineup is stacked with the likes of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Trey Turner, Justin Turner, Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger. We could go on, but you get the point. If feels like they all take turns delivering clutch hits and coming up with big performances.

With all the numbers just thrown at you, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Dodgers have the best odds to win the World Series at +475. 

Harper Leading The Way For The Phillies

Bryce Harper is having yet another Bryce Harper-type season. He is tops on the Phillies in batting average (.311), hits (40), home runs (9), RBIs (27) and slugging percentage (.634).

It’s no coincidence Philadelphia has lost three of its last four games, all of them without Harper in the lineup after he received an injection to treat a small tear in his right elbow. He isn’t allowed to throw for six weeks but could return as early as tonight as the DH.

While offense has not been an issue for the Phillies this season, pitching has been. Their team ERA is just south of 4, which ranks 21st in the majors. 

Dodgers vs Phillies Pick & Insights

Dodgers: Keys To Victory

Betts vs Suarez matchup. It’s no secret that as Mookie Betts goes, so do the Dodgers. And although it’s a small sample size, he is 2-for-4 in his career against the Phillies starter, with both hits being home runs. If Betts can set the tone early and have Suarez pitching from the stretch, then the smart choice when making your Dodgers vs Phillies pick will likely be the road favorites. 

Phillies: Keys To Victory

Muscle memory. It was just five days ago that the Phillies finished beating up on Dodgers pitching by pounding out 45 hits and 33 runs in a four-game series. That included a dominant offensive performance against Urias. Getting to him early and shattering his confidence could lead to success for the Phillies. 

MLB Computer Pick: Dodgers -140

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