The line for the May 21st Dodgers at Phillies betting contest is an interesting one as Los Angeles is a +105 underdog. 59% of public bettors like L.A. in Saturday night’s matchup which actually seems on the low side considering the Dodgers are underdogs despite being on a six game win streak.
L.A.’s win streak includes Friday night’s 4-1 victory at Citizens Bank Park on Friday night as -136 favorites. That was a huge win for the simple fact that the Phillies took three of four last weekend at Chavez Ravine. Does that previous success give Philadelphia some value at -125 on Saturday night?
Value on the Dodgers
It’s interesting that Los Angeles is the underdog in the May 21st Dodgers at Phillies betting matchup considering they have won six games in a row. That streak started with a 5-4 win over the Phillies last Sunday when Saturday’s starter Aaron Nola was on the mound for Philadelphia. Nola pitched well though, allowing just 2 ER over 7.0 IP on 4 hits.
Freddie Freeman had a big night on Friday going 3-5 while knocking in two of the Dodgers’ four runs. Freeman is hot hitting .417 with 8 RBI over the last week, and has a lot of experience vs. Nola after playing in the NL East with Atlanta the last 11 years, going 15-63 (.238) with 12 RBI in his career vs. the Philadelphia starter.
One of the big reasons the Dodgers are underdogs on Saturday is because Mitch White (1-0, 4.82 ERA) is making the move from the bullpen to starter for this game. White has made five appearances as a reliever this season, throwing a high of 52 pitches but that coming way back on April 10th. White has a ceiling of 2.0 IP his last four starts.
Philadelphia Played Solid Last Weekend
The Phillies got to Julio Urias for 5 ER (with 4 HR) last Saturday in Los Angeles but that wasn’t the case back at home on Friday night with the Dodgers starter throwing 5.0 scoreless innings allowing just 2 hits.
Kyle Schwarber did have a couple of doubles in Friday’s series opener but that was about the extent of the offense although J.T. Realmuto did knock in the team’s lone RBI with a single to bring Schwarber home in the 9th. Things should be better for the Philadelphia offense on Saturday as they should be seeing a bevy of relievers with White moving from the bullpen to make the start.
Nola will make his second straight start against L.A. after going 7 IP but picking up the no-decision in last Sunday’s 5-4 Dodgers win. Nola has gone at least 7 IP while allowing a total of just 4 hits in his last two home starts, April 24th against the Brewers and May 5th against the Mets.
Free May 21st Dodgers at Phillies Betting Pick
It’s tempting to pull the trigger on the Dodgers as underdogs for the simple fact that L.A. has been favored in each of their 38 games this season (26-12). That being said, this Dodgers team lost three of four last weekend at home to Philadelphia and you can’t trust L.A. in what is essentially a bullpen day against a pitcher who has been very good at home in Nola.
Free Pick: Phillies -125
