The Philadelphia Phillies are still favored in sports betting on most days in baseball but they are missing their closer Brad Lidge. He was placed on the disabled list for the second time this year. The Phillies will have to find someone else to close games and online sports betting handicappers are watching to see who it will be.
Sports betting odds list Philadelphia and St. Louis as the two favorites to win the National League. The Phillies should be able to win without Lidge but they do need someone to step up and fill the role of closer. “This is something that apparently can happen on the recovery back,” Lidge said. “When it goes away, which hopefully it will with whatever we treat it with, it should go away.”
The Phillies used Jose Contreras in the role of closer over the weekend and he may be in that role for a while since setup man Ryan Madson is out with an injury. “Twenty-two years starting games, and now my career is closing games,” Contreras said, “It was a tough situation at that moment, but I was able to save the game. That’s the most important thing.” Lidge started the season on the DL but came back on April 30 and got a save in his first chance. Last season was not a good one for Lidge as he blew 11 saves. Two years ago he was perfect, saving 48 games in 48 chances in Philadelphia’s World Series winning season.
The Phillies have other options for the role of closer but so far it appears they are going with Contreras in the 9th inning. Danys Baez has closed in the past but the Phillies really don’t have confidence in him to be the closer. The Phillies don’t always need a closer as they have a powerful offense that can blow games open. The Phillies have been leading the National League East and they are excelling on the road again this season. Good teams win on the road vs. the sports betting odds and the Phillies are proving to be a good team again this season even with their closer injured. Philadelphia is also solid at home and they are expected to have a big week vs. online sports betting odds as they host two weak teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs.