The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies meet Thursday in MLB action from Citizens Bank Park. Here’s a Braves vs Phillies prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. We will examine:
- The Atlanta Braves recent form and player performance
- The Philadelphia Phillies recent form and player performance
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Atlanta Braves
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Philadelphia Phillies
- Recent betting trends in games played between the Braves and Phillies
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Braves vs Phillies game
Atlanta Braves Betting Preview
The Braves were the first team in the MLB to clinch a playoff spot last year, doing so on September 10. Atlanta was looking good going into the postseason after taking the NL East for the sixth straight year on a nice 104-58 record. All the momentum came to a sudden halt as the Braves took a four-game loss to the Phillies in the NLDS, however.
For their Opening Day starter, the Braves will turn to Spencer Strider. In Spring Training this year Strider put up a solid 3-1 record with a 0.79 ERA in six starts. Last year, Strider managed a 20-5 record with a 3.86 ERA and 281 Ks in 32 games overall. The Braves will take on the White Sox after this series.
Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview
Over on the Phillies’ side, they finished a hefty 14 games behind the Braves in the National League title race but got the last laugh in the end. After a 90-72 regular season and a win over the Marlins in the NL Wild Card Series, Philadelphia took out the Braves in the next round. The Phillies would eventually fall to the Diamondbacks in the NLCS during a seven-game series.
Philadelphia will send out Zack Wheeler in the starter role for Thursday’s matchup. Wheeler didn’t have a decision over four Spring Training starts, but did notch a nice 1.26 ERA with 14 Ks in 14.1 innings. Wheeler went 13-6 overall last year with a 3.61 ERA in 32 starts.
Philadelphia Phillies Team Facts
- The Phillies have won each of their last eight home games against NL East opponents.
- The Phillies have covered the run line in each of their last seven games against NL East opponents.
- The Phillies have led after 5 innings in each of their last six games against NL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Phillies’ last six home games against NL East opponents.
- The Phillies have led after 7 innings in each of their last eight home games against NL East opponents.
Atlanta Braves Team Facts
- The Braves have lost each of their last five day games against National League opponents.
- The Braves have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five games.
- The Braves have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last four road games.
- The Braves have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three road day games.
Braves vs Phillies Prediction
I’ll probably lean toward the Braves here. Atlanta should be in it for the long haul once again this year, and winning a seventh straight NL East title won’t be enough. The Braves return all but one player from last season’s record-setting campaign (and one newcomer in Jarred Kelenic) so they should certainly be in the mix for 2024. Atlanta retains potential MVP Ronald Acuna as well. He should be in line for another potential 40-40 season. With strikeout artist Strider on the mound for the opener, Atlanta should be positioned well for a revenge win on the road. Regardless, it’ll be a fun series overall and a great way to start the year.