6 games vs. the Marlins within the span of 10 days was supposed to be the remedy that Philadelphia needed to close the gap in the East. Instead, the Phillies have already lost 5 of those contests and head into the June 30th MLB free betting pick on the verge of a second straight sweep to Miami. The Marlins have already cashed in as +131 and +124 underdogs this weekend, do they get another at +115 on Sunday?
Phillies Turn to Arrieta for the Win
Things are looking pretty bleak for Philadelphia as they continue their road trip with the June 30th MLB betting free pick vs. the Marlins and then head to 1st place Atlanta on Tuesday. If the Phillies can play well vs. the Braves they can make up some ground on the 6.5 game deficit in the East. First things first though, a win over Trevor Richards and the Marlins would go a long way. Philly did score 5 ER on the Miami starter in 4.0 IP back in April. That being said, Bryce Harper is just 1-8 vs. Richards (.125) with 5 K’s and Philadelphia has a combined .279 average vs. the right-hander in 43 total ABs.
Should the Marlins really be underdogs at home vs. Philadelphia’s Jake Arrieta? The right-hander is showing some signs of age as his up-and-down 2019 continues. Arrieta allowed 5ER in 6.0 IP to the Mets in his last start. It was the 3rd time in 5 games that Arrieta had allowed 5 ER. The Phillies starter has a 5.56 ERA so far this month and the June 30th MLB betting free pick will be the first time he’s faced the Marlins on the season.
Marlins Have the Sweep In Them?
The Marlins were in this exact same spot a week ago, winning the first two games over Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park and shooting for the sweep on Sunday as +152 underdogs. Miami belted out 16 hits in that game en route to a 6-4 win. Super rookie Jordan Yamamoto was on the hill in that one but you have to like the way the Marlins are swinging the bat no matter who is the pitcher. Miguel Rojas has a .519 OBP over the past week as Miami has scored 5+ runs in 6 of the last 7.The O/U for the June 30th MLB betting free pick is listed at just 8 runs.
Another reason to expect some runs Sunday is because Trevor Richards has gone just 1-3 with a 4.23 ERA this month. The right-hander does have a 2.79 ERA in 5 daytime starts which gives the Marlins an advantage in the June 30th MLB betting free pick. Richards allowed 5ER in 4.0 IP (11.25 ERA) to the Phillies on the year.
MLB Betting Free Pick:
This is feeling like a 7-4 game it’s just hard to pinpoint which side is going to be on top. Arrieta has been too unpredictable lately and the Marlins can’t really get a 2nd straight sweep over the Phillies…can they?
MLB Free Pick: Phillies / Marlins *Over*8
