- Two of the National League’s best pitchers, Chris Sale and Cristopher Sanchez, go head-to-head on Friday night.
- The Atlanta Braves are slight underdogs to start their four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
- NL East odds favor the Braves at -475, but their 4.0-game lead over Philly could be gone depending on the outcome of the road trip.
PHILADELPHIA – A massive four-game series between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies could determine the winner of the NL East. It begins Friday night with Cristopher Sanchez giving the Phillies a slight edge at home against Chris Sale and company.
Atlanta Braves Vs Philadelphia Phillies Betting Lines
| Team | Runline | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | +1.5 (-240) | -105 | O 6.5 (-125) |
| Philadelphia Phillies | -1.5 (+200) | -115 | U 6.5 (+105) |
The pitchers duel sets a 6.5-run total, the lowest number on Friday night’s MLB betting slate. The Phillies are -115 favorites despite posting a 1-5 record against the Braves so far this season.
Both pitchers project for 6.5 strikeouts and both team totals sit at 3.5 runs, with odds favoring the under in an expected low-scoring divisional clash. Sanchez has struggled against the Braves in his career, posting an alarming 0-4 record across eight career starts.
Six different Braves have a career batting average of .300 or greater against Sanchez, including four Braves with a .500 average on at least 13 career plate appearances. Lefty-hitting specialist Lane Thomas leads the way with a .571 average against Sanchez.
Braves/Phillies Series Could Determine NL East Winner
Friday kicks off a four-game series between the NL East rivals, followed by a three-game series in Atlanta next week. With seven of the next 10 games being between these two teams, the time is now to get in on the Phillies’ legal sports betting odds to win the division at +380 odds.
NL East Standings
| Team | Odds To Win NL East | Games Back |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | -475 | – |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +380 | 4 Games Back |
| Miami Marlins | +30000 | 12.5 Games Back |
| Washington Nationals | +30000 | 17 Games Back |
| New York Mets | +30000 | 20 Games Back |
Atlanta holds a four-game lead in the division before Friday’s game, but that lead could completely flip if the Braves were to be swept in Philadelphia. Philly believers should take their stance before the series begins.
