Not much was expected from the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day. Certainly, nobody had them as a baseball odds today favorite in the NL East. Yet because of solid starting pitching they are in the thick of the playoff race. For the Baltimore Orioles expectations were also low heading into the season. Unlike the Phils the O’s have lived up to those woeful predictions. Or perhaps lived down to them. Manager Buck Showalter sparked their franchise resurgence. Since taking over in 2010 he led Baltimore to thee playoff appearances. But since last year the club has eroded.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Date and Time: Wednesday, July 4, 2018, 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2018 MLB Betting Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orioles | +1½ (-145) | 9 (-110) |  |
| Phillies | -1½ (+125) | 9 (-110) | |
| |||
2018 MLB TV Coverage: ESPN
Baseball on the 4 of July
The historic city of Philadelphia should be in a festive Independence Day mood. At the time of the American Revolution it was the focal point of the new nation. It’s appropriate that Ben Franklin’s home town would host the National Pastime on July 4. Franklin would be quite pleased with the local baseball team. It’s one of the biggest surprises in all of Major League Baseball. Philly is in a fierce race with another big surprise. Nobody saw the Atlanta Braves as the team to beat in the National League East.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are among the most profitable teams with the baseball odds today. Philadelphia is 45-37 and just three games behind first place Atlanta. The Phillies would make the National League wild card cut as of now. At Citizens Bank Park they are 28-16. Just 20 out of their 44 home games have gone over the total. Six wins in 10 games shows solid recent form. Under the total has paid in seven of the last nine Phillies games.
Baltimore Orioles
For the Orioles this has been a year of misery. And a continuation of their decline that began last year. Baltimore has been one of the worst betting values on the sportsbook board. They have gushed red ink losing 3319 units. Nobody has busted more bankrolls this season. On the road the Orioles are a hopeless 12-30. The bullpen has been among the worst in the game. Offensively the O’s have been rendered impotent. Entering this series Baltimore has lost seven of their last ten. Just one of their last seven games have gone over the total.
David Hess and Aaron Nola
A pair of right handers are the probable starting pitchers. David Hess is scheduled for Baltimore. He is 2-5 with a 5.94 earned run average. Aaron Nola is likely to take the hill for the Phillies. Nola is having a highly impressive season. He is 10-2 with a 2.48 ERA.
Odubel Herrera
Center fielder Odubel Herrera has bee the big bat for the Phils. He is hitting .283 with 14 doubles and 14 home runs. Herrera has driven in 47 runs. His OPS is .812.
Matchup to Watch
Baltimore’s decline has been astounding. Showalter had them as a regular contender. But the manager is no longer supplied with quality players. Phillies manager Gabe Kapler is a Manager of the Year candidate. General manager Matt Klentack made superb upgrades on the roster. Baltimore will be a big baseball odds today dog here. And they should be.
Baseball odds today: MLB Betting Odds Picks
Philadelphia should provide plenty of July 4 fireworks in this one!
MLB Betting Online Pick: Philadelphia Phillies
MLB Betting Online Score Prediction: Phillies 6, Orioles 2
Check out a feature on Phillies slugger Odubel Herrera!