It’s a potential if not likely NLCS preview on Wednesday night, when the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers visit the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.
They have the two best records in the Senior Circuit and are the two pennant favorites. The Phils are short favorites on the MLB odds for Wednesday’s national TV matchup.
| MLB Picks: Phillies -130, Dodgers +110 (total 9) Score Prediction: Phillies 5, Dodgers 4 |
Los Angeles Dodgers Spread +0.5
The Dodgers lead the NL West but are chasing the Phils for the top seed in the playoffs.
They’ll meet again in LA in August. Six Dodgers will play in the All-Star Game, including Shohei Ohtani who leads in NL MVP race with 20 homers, 20 steals, and top Triple Crown stats.
He leads in home runs and average, and third in RBIs.
Injuries to Consider
Mookie Betts, one of six players missing time with injuries, will not play in the All-Star Game.
Miguel Rojas is stepping up in his absence at shortstop. The Dodgers have multiple key players on the injured list, including Muncy, Heyward, Buehler, Kershaw, Yamamoto, and Kelly.
Betts may return as a second baseman upon recovery.
Dodgers’ 36-year-old star Clayton Kershaw, recovering from shoulder surgery, is set to return in 2024.
Dodgers’ Trades
The team is active in trade talks, making an offer for White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet that was rejected.
They are determined to make moves before the July 30 Trade Deadline as they aim for success in the 2024 season.
Gavin Stone on the Hill
Stone, a young right-handed pitcher with a 9-2 record, struggled in his recent game against Arizona.
Despite allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over three innings, he managed to strike out three batters.
Stone faced difficulties from the beginning, giving up multiple hits to the first few batters and ultimately surrendering a two-run homer that tied the score.
He would not return for the fourth after needing 77 pitches to get through three frames, marking his shortest outing since April 7 against the Cubs.
Gavin Stone had pitched at least five innings in 11 straight starts before walking multiple batters in five of his last six outings.
Despite this, he maintains a 3.03 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 73/28 K/BB ratio over 92 innings this season.
Stone has been a standout for the Dodgers, leading starters in ERA and providing valuable innings for the team.
Stone’s lone career outing vs. the Phillies was last year, and it didn’t go well as he allowed five runs on eight hits with two walks and a strikeout in four innings.
^Philadelphia Phillies Spread -0.5
The Phillies had a record-setting seven All-Stars, including Bryce Harper, who won NL Player of the Month for May and June.
Harper and Kyle Schwarber were activated off the injured list for Tuesday’s game. Harper, Ohtani, and Trout are the only active MLB players with multiple MVP Awards.
Without Harper and Schwarber, the Phillies went 5-4, averaging 3.7 runs per game.
Cristopher Sanchez
Lefty Sanchez, signed to a four-year extension last month, is a key player for the team.
His strong season, with a 6-4 record and 2.96 ERA, secured team options for 2029 and ’30.
Sanchez struggled last Thursday, giving up seven runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings against the Cubs.
Despite starting strong and holding a 2-0 lead, he eventually allowed a five-run fourth inning.
Sanchez, who has been good at avoiding big innings, couldn’t recover and was pulled after the first two batters in the fifth inning, both of whom later scored off Seranthony Domínguez.
Cristopher, who was coming off a complete-game shutout and had allowed just one earned run over 23 innings during his previous three starts, allowed a season-high in runs, lifting his season ERA more than half a run from 2.41 to 2.96.
Thomson said Sanchez struggled due to fatigue from his first complete game vs. the Marlins, leading to decreased velocity, less effective change up, and command issues against the Cubs.
^Betting Dodgers at Phillies MLB Odds
When: Wednesday, 7 PM ET
Where: Citizens Bank Park
Pitchers (away/home): Gavin Stone/Cristopher Sanchez
TV: ESPN
Stream/gameday audio: ESPN+
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The @Phillies are up 8-0 in the 4th. pic.twitter.com/w6GRyiDJ8a
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