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Braves vs Phillies Odds, Lines, and Pick – April 4

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in MLB Baseball

Updated Apr 3, 2021 · 8:01 PM PDT

Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, left, is out at second as Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) makes the tag during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
  • The Atlanta Braves are -133 favorites to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies in their MLB game on Sunday, April 4th
  • Philly has won the last two and five of the past six games against Atlanta
  • They’ve also won four of the last five meetings with the Braves in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Phillies are poised for a season-opening series sweep of the two-time defending AL East champion Atlanta Braves on Sunday, April 4th. Oddsmakers, though, are assessing that this won’t be happening.

Atlanta is the -133 favorite to get the better of the Phillies in the final game of this three-game set. The Braves vs Phillies odds, Atlanta lost the season opener 3-2 as the -125 chalk. Philadelphia was the -101 betting choice in the second game and covered via a 4-0 shutout win. Going back to last season, the past four Phillies games have all gone under.

It’s a battle of righthanders on the mound. The Braves are going with Ian Anderson. Philly is countering with Zach Eflin.

First pitch on Sunday is set for 1:05pm EDT at Citizens Bank Park. ESPN is carrying the broadcast.

Braves vs Phillies Odds

Team Moneyline Runline Total at BetMGM
Atlanta Braves -133 -1.5 (+125) O 8.0 (-115)
Philadelphia Phillies -105 +1.5 (-149) U 8.0 (-105)

Odds as of April 3rd

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History Repeating Itself?

In 2019, the Phillies opened the season 4-0. The first three wins of that run were a season-opening sweep of a series against the Braves.

Philly is finding different ways to win so far this season. The Phillies took the opener on a 10th-inning walk-off hit by Jean Segura.

YouTube video

Saturday, Zack Wheeler and two relievers combined to one-hit the Braves. Travis d’Arnaud’s second-inning single off Wheeler was Atlanta’s lone hit. Last season, the Braves led the NL in OPS and were second in runs scored.

Philadelphia’s bullpen, dreadful last season, has combined to work 5.1 scoreless innings so far in 2021. In 2020, The Philly bullpen posted a 7.06 ERA last season, the worst by an MLB staff since 1930.

Injury Report

Philly outfielder Adam Haseley, who left Thursday’s opener with a tight hamstring, was available Saturday but didn’t play. Phils manager Joe Girardi is expecting to play Haseley in Sunday’s game.

The Braves placed infielder Ehire Adrianza on the 10-day injured list on Saturday. He left the team to deal with a personal issue.

Eflin Showing improvement

Eflin was 4-2 with a 3.97 ERA last season from 11 appearances, 10 of them starts. It was the third successive season that he’s lowered his ERA.

With a 5-3 career record, Eflin has won more games against the Braves than any other team except the Miami Marlins. He’s also 5-3 against Miami.

Braves Career Stats vs Eflin

Player AB HR RBI AVG
Ronald Acuna Jr 12 1 2 .333
Ozzie Albies 12 1 3 .250
Johan Camargo 7 1 1 .143
Travis d’Arnaud 7 0 0 .143
Freddie Freeman 19 1 3 .158
Ender Inciarte 13 2 4 .308
Alex Jackson 0 0 0 .000
Marcell Ozuna 11 0 1 .182
Cristian Pache 0 0 0 .000
Austin Riley 8 0 0 .250
Pablo Sandoval 3 0 1 .333
Darby Swanson 14 1 2 .429

He’s proven to be a much better performer at home. Eflin’s ERA (3.09-5.91), WHIP (1.11.-1.59) and walks per nine innings (1.3-3.8) were also significantly lower last season at Citizens Bank Field than on the road.

Anderson Latest Braves Gem

As a rookie last season, Anderson was 3-2 with a 1.95 ERA over six starts. He opened his MLB postseason career with 17.2 scoreless inning, finally surrendering a run in Game 7 of the NLCS.

Anderson’s most effective pitch is his changeup. He held opposing batters to a .104 average with that pitch in 2020.

 

Phillies Career Stats vs Anderson

Player AB HR RBI AVG
Alec Bohm 0 0 0 .000
Didi Gregorius 0 0 0 .000
Bryce Harper 0 0 0 .000
Jon Berti 5 0 1 .400
Adam Haseley 0 0 0 .000
Rhys Hoskins 0 0 0 .000
Matt Joyce 5 0 0 .200
Andrew Knapp 0 0 0 .000
Andrew McCutchen 0 0 0 .000
Brad Miller 0 0 0 .000
Roman Quinn 0 0 0 .000
JT Realmuto 0 0 0 .000
Jean Segura 0 0 0 .000
Ronald Torreyes 0 0 0 .000

This will be Anderson’s first time facing the Phillies. He was 2-1 with a 2.55 ERA in three road starts last season.

Pick: Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 (-149)


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