Dodgers vs. Phillies Prediction, Odds, Props: Expect a Low-Scoring Opener
There is a full slate of games on Monday, and the marquee matchup has to be the Philadelphia Phillies hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers, which will be aired on ESPN.
This Dodgers vs. Phillies prediction reviews the pitching matchup, key stats, betting odds, and value player prop bets.
BetMGM Sportsbook has the Phillies as the moneyline favorites at -135 with the total set at 8 runs.
Dodgers vs. Phillies odds
| Moneyline | Total (Over/Under) | Run Line |
| Dodgers (+115) | Over 8 runs (-105) | Dodgers +1.5 runs (-175) |
| Phillies (-135) | Under 8 runs (-115) | Phillies -1.5 runs (+145) |
The top online sportsbooks have dozens of prop bets available for the opening game of this heavyweight National League series.
How we got here
The Dodgers (63-37) took two of three games against the New York Yankees in their last series, which was their first after the All-Star break. They have the best record in baseball and are running away with the NL West, 11.5 games up on the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Phillies (55-45) lost two of three games in their first series after the break, but they have climbed back in the NL East race and are now only three games back of the Atlanta Braves.
Dodgers vs. Phillies betting analysis
On the season, the Phillies are 26-23 at home, and the Dodgers have the best road record in the Majors at 32-18.
By the numbers
Dodgers
- Runs – 3rd
- Team ERA – 3rd
Phillies
- Runs – Tied for 17th
- Team ERA – 16th
Pitching Matchup
Emmet Sheehan (4-6, 4.81 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) takes the mound for L.A. after allowing three runs in 5 1/3 innings of a 5-3 loss to the D-Backs in his last start. The Dodgers have dropped six of Sheehan's last seven outings. He surrendered more than three runs in only one of them, but received little run support.
All-Star starter Christopher Sanchez (11-4, 2.62 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) goes for Philly, and in his last start, gave up two runs in seven innings of a 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. Sanchez has been up and down in recent starts. In his last four starts, he gave up at least five runs in two and only two runs in the other two.
Daunting lineup not so daunting lately
The Dodgers have a powerhouse lineup with five players with at least 42 RBIs and six in double digits in home runs. However, they have scored over four runs in only one of their last eight games.
Get on base
In their last eight games, Los Angeles is only batting .202. The hitters have struggled to get on base, and while Shohei Ohtani (.291, 22 home runs, 60 RBIs) has three home runs in the last six games, they have all been solo shots.
Freddie Freeman (.285, 15 home runs, 51 RBIs) has no RBIs over the last eight games and is hitless in three of the last four.
Pitching getting it done
The Phillies have won three of five games, and in four of them, they did not give up more than four runs.
Big bat back in the lineup
Kyle Schwarber (.253, 33 home runs, 61 RBIs) leads the Majors in home runs, and he sat out the last game but should be back in the lineup. He went deep in his last game and had a home run earlier this season when the Phillies dropped two games to the Dodgers on the West Coast.
Two All-Stars struggling
While the Phillies have clawed their way back into the NL East race, they need a couple of All-Stars to break out of their slumps.
Bryce Harper (.258, 20 home runs, 59 RBIs) has no home runs and five RBIs this month. He and Brandon Marsh (.293, 15 home runs, 43 RBIs), who leads the team in batting average, are both hitting only .157 in July.
Dodgers vs. Phillies prediction: Under 8 runs (-120)
Both teams have not been great at the plate recently, especially the Dodgers, but the Phillies have had solid pitching in the last few games, and L.A. only gave up five runs in their last series.
The total has gone Under in the past five games for Philly and in three of the last four games for the Boys in Blue. The Under is the pick for this series opener.
Phillies vs. Dodgers props: Our favorite picks
Here are some player prop bets we like at DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Shohei Ohtani 1+ home runs (+349) – Good value for Ohtani here. He has three home runs over the last six games, and Sanchez has allowed four home runs over his last two starts.
- Christopher Sanchez to allow Over 5.5 hits – Sanchez has given up 22 hits over his last two starts and surrendered three hits in one inning at the All-Star Game.
