MLB Braves vs. Phillies Picks & Predictions for August 2, 2013
By ATSSportsline.com
PHILADELPHIA, PA (ATS Consultants) – The Phillies are in the midst of a funk, which isn’t good with the Braves coming to town for a three-game series tonight. Will Atlanta take Game 1 of the series tonight at 7:05PM ET?
ODDS: According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Braves are -170 money line favorites over the Phillies, who are +156 on the ML. With Kris Medlen set to face E Martin in the pitching matchup, the over/under total is currently sitting at 9 runs.
LINE MOVEMENT: The Braves opened as modest -144 money line favorites but their odds have jumped all the way up to -170, while the Phillies’ odds have gone from +133 up to +156. Atlanta is 64-45 overall and 26-30 on the road, while Philadelphia is 50-58 and 27-23 at home.
PUBLIC BETTING: Of the current wagers placed on tonight’s game, 78% of the betting public currently favors Atlanta. This information is subject to change, however, so make sure you click on the link provided for the most updated numbers.
MLB FREE PICK: Take Atlanta. According to latest MLB trends, Atlanta is 25-9 last 34 during game 1 of a series, 15-6 in Medlen's last 21 road starts and 23-5 in Medlen's last 28 starts with a losing record. Philadelphia is 1-9 last 10 overall, 0-7 last 7 as a dog and 0-9 last 9 vs. a right-handed starter.
Atlanta is red-hot winning seven straight games including sweeping Colorado in four straight at home. Kris Medlen (7-10, 3.74 ERA) goes to the mound for the Braves. He pitched well against a very good St. Louis team in his last time out, holding them to two runs in six innings. Ethan Martin makes his first start for the Phillies. He's starting for Cliff Lee, who has a sore neck. Martin, who has never pitched in the majors, was 11-5 with a 4.12 ERA in 21 starts at Triple A Lehigh Valley this season. In 115 2/3 innings, he allowed 94 hits, struck out 107 and walked 67. His control issues will manifest themselves into issues when he faces a strong team like Braves. Freddie Freeman leads the way with 71 RBI and a .311 average though they have a very balanced ballclub with seven players with 10 or more home runs. That's a tough lineup for a 24-year old rookie to face.
FRIDAY MLB FREE PICK: ATLANTA BRAVES -170
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