Phillies’ NL Pennant Odds Continue to Slip After Losing 8 of 10
- The Philadelphia Phillies have lost 8 out of their past 10 games.
- Bryce Harper didn’t make the final ballot for the All-Star Game
- The Phillies have managed to blow a 3 1/2 game lead in the NL East
The Philadelphia Phillies have had a season of ups and downs and it’s not even the all-star break yet. Their odds to win the NL pennant have been all over the place since April, but with +700, it is the worst odds they’ve seen to date.
2019 National League Pennant Odds
| Team | 2019 National League Pennant Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +135 |
| Atlanta Braves | +400 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +700 |
| Chicago Cubs | +800 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +800 |
| St. Louis Cardinal | +1400 |
| Colorado Rockies | +2000 |
| Washington Nationals | +2200 |
*Odds taken 6/21/19
It just a matter of a week, the Phillies have seen their odds go from +560 on June 13, to +700 as of June 21.
A Rough Month
The last month has been less than ideal for the Philadelphia Phillies. They’ve lost their last 8 out of 10 and last 14 of 20 games, and have scored just eight runs in the past five games. And within that time they managed to blow the 3 1/2 game lead they had in the NL East.
Lack of Harper
Bryce Harper won’t be on the final voting ballet for the 2019 All-Star Game, and won’t be going to the game for only the second time in his entire career. He has been less than the superstar we all know him to be in the 2019 season. And at $330 million for the next 13 years, fans have obviously expected more from the player.
67 players entered play today with home runs than Bryce Harper this year. In a season where more home runs than ever (including the steroid era) are being hit, Harper's lack of consistent power is a huge problem.
The Phillies need him to start being the player they paid for.
— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) June 19, 2019
Harper’s line through 74 games this season is: 12 HR/ 50 RBI/ .243 avg, and he leads the league in strikeouts at 94. But it’s been his fielding that’s been an issue almost more than his offence. Harper has already committed three errors this season, which is his total committed errors at the end of last season.
A Defining Stretch
Despite the loss yesterday against the Marlins, these next couple weeks could completely turn the Phillies season around. Twelve of their next 15 games come against the Marlins and Mets, two teams that are really struggling this season.
Simply stated, just not enough offense for the Phillies.
Despite eight innings from Aaron Nola, the Phillies lose in their return home. pic.twitter.com/QnoffxBfoF
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 22, 2019
If they continue to get consistent pitching from the likes of Aaron Nola, who went eight innings, and struck out 10 last night, and has given the team the opportunity to win, the Phillies could go into the All-Star break feeling alright.
A Long Season
Baseball probably has the most up’s and down’s in any professional sport, and playing 162 regular season games allows you to have that without really hurting your season. It’s going to take a lot to take down the LA Dodgers in the NL, but the Phillies could make their way back in the NL East.
My pick has always been the Dodgers in the NL, so that doesn’t change.
Pick: Dodgers (+135)
A graduate of Sport Media at Ryerson University, Hayley is the ultimate student of sports. Whether she is playing it, watching it, debating it, or writing it, it's safe to assume sport consumes the majority of her life. She has worked both internationally and with the NBA.
