Mets vs. Phillies Odds
Philadelphia, PA (AP) – The Philadelphia Phillies have opened the season on a roll, and they could make it their longest in nearly a century.
The Phillies looks to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 1915 when they open a three-game series against the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
According to MLB odds and oddsmakers from online sports book Bodog.com have made the Phillies -191 money line favorites for Tuesday’s game against the Mets. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 75% of more than 731 bets for this game have been placed on the Phillies -191.
Philadelphia (3-0) has won a franchise-record four consecutive NL East titles, but fell short of a third consecutive pennant last fall by losing the NLCS in six games to San Francisco.
The Phillies fortified their chances for reclaiming the pennant by adding 2008 AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee to a rotation that was already one of the best in the majors.
So far, Lee, two-time Cy Young winner Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt have Philadelphia off to its best start since 1970 after Oswalt led the club to Sunday’s 7-3 win over Houston, completing a three-game sweep.
“Yeah, I envisioned our starting pitching every time they go out there they have a chance to throw a shutout or hold you down,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “And I think our starting pitching through the course of the season is going to be very consistent. If it is, if we can score runs like we can or should, we’re in for a real good season.”
The Phillies could be in for their best start in 96 years as Manuel gives the ball to Cole Hamels, whose 60 career wins since 2006 are the most by any Phillie in that span.
Hamels, though, has split 44 decisions over the last two years, going 12-11 with a 3.06 ERA while striking out 211 in 208 2-3 innings in 2010.
“If you take it one day at a time and do the best you can, you’ll build into something great,” Hamels told the team’s official website.
He hasn’t had much success against the Mets (2-1), going 2-8 with a 3.83 ERA. Hamels has lost four straight starts to New York despite a 3.20 ERA.
Hamels could be in line for some support Tuesday night with the Phillies batting a robust .349 with seven doubles, two homers and 21 runs in the first three games.
Ryan Howard is on a tear already, going 7 for 13 with one homer and six RBIs while driving in four Sunday. He is just a career .259 hitter against New York, but has 28 homers and 67 RBIs.
Mets manager Terry Collins is looking forward to the test, and likened the Phillies to the Yankees. However, his club split 18 meetings with Philadelphia last year.
“You knew they had that great club,” Collins told MLB.com. “You got yourself up to play them. You raised your level of play a little bit higher because you wanted to show them you were as good as they are. And I think that goes with our pitching staff. I truly believe … our guys will go in and realize what a great challenge it’s going to be, and we’ll rise up for it.”
New York enters this series with some momentum, taking the last two of a three-game series at Florida capped by Sunday’s 9-2 victory.
Chris Young takes the mound in his Mets debut looking to put three injury-filled seasons with San Diego behind him. Shoulder inflammation limited the right-hander to four games last season, going 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA.
Young is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in five starts against the Phillies, and 1-1 with a 6.60 ERA in three at Philadelphia.
Want More From TheSpread.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!