Diamondbacks vs Phillies Game 2 Odds, Predictions & Player Prop Picks (Oct. 17)

• The Phillies can take a commanding 2-0 lead in the NLCS with a win on Tuesday night in Philadelphia
• The Arizona Diamondbacks suffered their first loss of the postseason in the NLCS opener
• See the DBacks vs Phillies odds, player props, and picks for Game 2 of on Oct. 17

It took until their third series of the 2023 postseason for the Arizona Diamondbacks (89-79, 45-41 away) to finally lose a game, but lose they did on Monday night (5-3) in the opening game of the 2023 NLCS with the Philadelphia Phillies (96-73, 54-32 home).

Now the DBacks risk falling in a massive 2-0 hole unless they can find a way to end Philly’s ten-game win streak at home in National League playoff games. Just as they did on Monday, the Dbacks/Phillies Game 2 odds heavily favor the home team staying red-hot at Citizens Bank Park.

Game 2 Diamondbacks vs Phillies Odds

The Phillies are -165 home favorites in Tuesday’s MLB odds while the DBacks come back as +140 road underdogs to even the series. The game total is 7.5, same as the opener, which went over by half a run in Philly’s 5-3 victory.

Odds as of Oct. 17 at Caesars. Claim this Caesars promo code to bet on Game 2 of the 2023 NLCS on Tuesday. 

The odds to win the NL Pennant, which already favored Philadelphia by a wide margin, now show a chasm between the teams. The Phillies improved from -187 to -342 after taking Game 1. The DBacks faded to +278.

Philadelphia remains the second-favorite in the World Series odds, however, behind the Texas Rangers, who already own a 2-0 lead on the Houston Astros in the ALCS. Arizona is looking to advance to the World Series in the MLB playoff bracket for the first time since 2001 – the only time in franchise history they reached the Fall Classic.

DBacks vs Phillies Game 2 Starting Pitchers

Both teams turn to their number-two starters on Tuesday night, but it’s a matchup that favors the Phillies on paper. Aaron Nola gets the ball for Philadelphia, coming off back-to-back excellent starts against the Marlins and Braves. Merrill Kelly toes the rubber for Arizona, and is also coming off a gem in his first career playoff start against the Dodgers.

Merrill Kelly vs Aaron Nola

While Kelly’s number as a whole were borderline phenomenal this season, he’s long been a pitcher who dominates at home and struggles on the road. Today he’s forced to contend with arguably the toughest road environment in all of baseball.

In 2023, Kelly had a 2.59 ERA at home and 4.07 ERA on the road. Overall during his four-plus-year career, he’s carrying a  4.48 road ERA compared to a 3.17 home ERA. He doesn’t have a long history against the Phillies’ lineup, but what history exists is not encouraging for the 35-year-old. Led by Trea Turner who’s 9-21 with six RBI and six walks, the Phillies are slashing .288/.354/.441 off Kelly in 59 total at-bats. Only JT Realmuto has taken him deep.

Nola’s numbers are a little better against Arizona’s lineup: 255/.268/.382 in 55 total at-bats with one home run and one double allowed. The home came courtesy of Ketel Marte.

ARI vs PHI Game 2 Player Props

The pitchers’ over/unders in today’s MLB player props are indicative of Kelly’s road struggles. His outs-recorded O/U is at just 13.5 for Game 2, meaning he would only need two outs in the fifth inning to hit the over.

Nola, on the other hand, would need one out in the sixth inning to reach the over on his total of 15.5.

The shortest odds to hit a home run in Game 2 belong to Kyle Schwarber at +300. Christian Walker has the best odds among Arizona hitters at +425. As mentioned above, Realmuto (+450) and Marte (+475) are the only two players in the game who have gone deep against today’s starting pitchers.

Diamondbacks vs Phillies Predictions: Game 2

Kelly’s home/road splits would be a red flag regardless of the ballpark he was heading into. The fact that he has to content with the raucous environment of Citizens Bank Park makes it all the more worrisome for Arizona backers.

Don’t expect Nola to be perfect, but do expect the 30-year-old vet to out-duel his counterpart early on.

D-Backs vs Phillies Game 2 Picks:

• Phillies moneyline first 5 innings (-145)
• Kelly over 3.5 hits allowed (-155)
• Trea Turner over 0.5 RBI (+175)