Oddsmakers are liking Philadelphia in the August 15th Mets at Phillies betting showdown. The Phillies are -165 favorites against New York after winning Friday’s series opener 6-5 at -122. This is still a Philadelphia team that was swept at home in a three game series vs. Baltimore prior to that.
The Mets fell on Friday but had taken two in a row from Washington prior to that while scoring a combined 19 runs. The Phillies do have the pitching edge with Aaron Nola (1-1, 2.79 ERA) on the mound against Steven Matz (0-3, 8.20 ERA). The betting total for this one is 9.
Mets Have to Get Matz Going
On paper the August 15th Mets at Phillies betting matchup would look like a pitcher’s duel. Matz hasn’t backed up his 6.0 IP, 2 hit season debut very well, allowing 3, 5, and 8 ER the last three starts.
Things might not get much better for the Mets left-hander on Saturday as he posted a 7.48 ERA in five starts vs. the Phillies last season. Matz allowed 6, 7, and 2 ER in his three starts at Citizens Bank Park in 2019.
The positive thing for New York is that Matz may not have to be especially great in this meeting if the New York offense can continue their impressive recent stretch. The Mets have scored 24 runs in their last three games powered by Brandon Nimmo who is 5-12 over that span.
Dominic Smith has HR’d in each of the last two games as well. Robinson Cano hit his first home run of the season on Friday and is 3-8 in his career vs. Nola.
Phillies’ Struggles Behind Them?
Philadelphia looks like a solid wager with a red-hot Nola on the mound, even at -165. That being said, the Phillies got absolutely beat up by Baltimore in the three games prior to Friday’s series opening win. Baltimore scored 26 runs as Philadelphia lost all three games when being at least -185 favorites.
It was pitching that was non-existent in the series vs. the Orioles but that should improve with Nola on the hill. The right-hander had a rough season debut with 4ER over 5.1 IP but has buckled down the last two allowing just five total hits. Nola has struck out 22 batters in his last two starts and against a couple solid offenses in the Yankees and Braves.
Nola should get help on Saturday night the way the Phillies’ offense has hit Matz at Citzens Bank Park. Rhys Hoskins has 3 HRs in 19 AB vs. the left-hander while Didi Gregorious (.429) and Jean Segura (.538) have both torched Matz in over a dozen ABs each.
August 15th Mets at Phillies Betting Pick
It’s hard to go against Nola in this one, especially with the way Matz has struggled against the Phillies on the road. The Philadelphia bats should be able to get Nola a lead early, and the right-hander will cruise the rest of the way.
Free Pick: Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+110)
