Braves and Phillies Meet in Game 3 of the NLDS in What will be a Pivotal Game
By Charles Jay
The defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies have split a pair of games in their National League Divisional Series (NLDS). So, to use the oft-beaten cliche, this is the “pivotal” third game of the best-of-five, where the winner will move on to face the winner between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres for the right to go to the World Series.
First pitch is at 4:37 PM ET at Citizens Bank Park. BetAnySports customers will have the opportunity to get reduced juice for better value, and they can wager on the game in progress by using any number of different options.
Aaron Nola, who’s logged the most innings on the Philadelphia staff, will get the start for the Phillies, while the magnificent rookie Spencer Strider is on the hill for Braves…… with some provisions.
In Game 1, the Braves fell behind 7-1, mounted a comeback and created a thrill with a three-run home by Matt Olson in the bottom of the ninth, but came up short 7-6. Nick Castellanos, a key free agent acquisition in the off-season, had three hits and three RBI’s for Philly.
In Game 2, the Braves rebounded with a great effort by Kyle Wright, who held the Phillies scoreless on three hits over six innings in what was an eventual 3-0 shutout.
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NLDS Playoff Betting — Here are the numbers…
In the odds that have been posted at BetAnySports on this game, the Braves are the slight favorites in the money line:
Atlanta Braves -108
Philadelphia Phillies -102
Over 6.5 Runs -130
Under 6.5 Runs +100
Phillies -1.5 Runs +195
Braves +1.5 Runs -235
NL Playoff Betting — Nola on a roll-a
Aaron Nola is without a doubt a pitcher who comes into Game 3 with some momentum. That’s because he has kept a clean sheet through his last two starts, both lasting 6-2/3 innings without a run. One of those was a playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals. So in 13-1/3 innings he has allowed seven base runners, and in his last three starts he’s had a strikeout-walk ratio of 23-1. In other words, he’s pitching like an ace.
NLDS Playoff Betting — Strider’s season almost defies description
He averaged 13.8 K’s per nine innings, which is phenomenal for a starting pitcher. And he gave up just 5.9 hits per nine innings. In those two statistical categories he would have led the league if he had thrown enough innings to qualify. His 0.995 WHIP ratio was best in the Atlanta rotation. His home run rate was almost nothing (seven in 131 innings). And he had a 2.67 ERA. He is probably the best rookie in the National League this season – well, unless you believe his teammate Michael Harris is.
NL Playoff Betting — Here’s the problem with Strider
We’re not likely to see a lot of him on Friday night. He has a left oblique problem that has kept him out of action, for the most part, over the last month. Strider got hurt against this Phillies team on Sept. 18 and has been able to throw off a mound just twice since.
An oblique is always a concern; we saw how Max Scherzer of the New York Mets was bothered by it as he gave up four homers in a losing effort to San Diego in Game 1 of the wild card round. So it’s likely that Brian Snitker won’t let him throw a lot of pitches, which will require the rested bullpen to be on its game.
Charlie Morton was going to start Game 3 but has been moved back to tomorrow. You almost have to consider Strider here, when you look at the way he shut the Phillies down during the regular season. In 21-1/3 against them he gave up just seven hits and struck out 34. In 79 plate appearances, Philadelphia SLUGGED .194 against him.
NLDS Playoff Betting — The verdict
The difference between Scherzer and Strider is that if Strider gets in trouble early, Snitker will not let it go far. And if the bullpen is extended, that might hurt them in Game 4 when Morton starts.
But if Strider DOESN’T experience trouble, it means he is dominating the Phillies like he did in the regular season. Whatever the case, the Braves will have something throwing bullets at Philadelphia.
So we’ll roll the dice and take the UNDER in the 5-INNING prop. That’s -120 at BetAnySports, where you can get reduced juice and plentiful options for live betting, with the opportunity to use Bitcoin to open an account, and EIGHT outlets for casino action!
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