Once the MLB season gets rolling, one of the more fun things to do is take a look at the standings every now and again to get a look at what the playoffs would look like if they started today. It’s great to see the potential match-ups, as it can make regular season series that much more interesting when you have potential playoff teams going head to head.

They, of course, probably don’t even think about such things this early in the season, although there probably is something very satisfying about beating a potential playoff team over the course of a regular season series. We have a good one going this weekend, with the Philadelphia Phillies in Milwaukee for a series with the Brewers. These are a pair of teams that are very much in the playoff conversation, albeit still very early in the season. While both are in the postseason hunt, neither of them is playing their best ball at the moment, so a series win here might just serve as a bit of a boost. The Brewers are favored by 1 ½ on Friday, with the run total set at 9.

Phillies vs Brewers MLB Week 8 Betting Lines & Prediction

• When: Friday, May 24 at 8:10 PM EST
• Where: Miller Park, Milwaukee
• Starting Pitchers: Eickhoff vs. Anderson
• TV: MLB Extra Innings
• Radio: The Big 1070
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Week 8 Betting Lines: Milwaukee Brewers -135 (9)

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Why bet on the Philadelphia Phillies?

It is the Phillies who have the lead atop the NL East right now, a game and a half up on the Braves, but how long they actually stay there remains to be seen. While the Braves appear to be playing some solid ball right now, the Phillies have been plodding along at a .500 pace over the last 10 games.

To make matters worse, they are now on the road for a tough series, going just 11-11 in road games as opposed to 18-10 SU when playing at home. They are also up against a Brewers team that has beaten them 3 out of the 4 times they have already met this season. The Phillies have covered in 4 of their last 5 and are 6-4 ATS as a road dog this season. It will be Jerad Eickhoff (2-2, 3.23 ERA) who gets the start here.

Team Stats

• Runs: 4.98
• Hits: 8.36
• Walks: 4.06
• Strike Outs: 8.72

Defense

• Runs: 4.42
• Hits: 9.00
• Walks: 3.52
• Strike Outs: 8.50

Why bet on the Milwaukee Brewers?

The Brewers are currently playing catch-up to the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central, sitting a game and a half back of the leaders after going 29-22 to start the season. Like their opponents this weekend, though, the Brewers have been struggling with consistency of late, posting a 5-5 record in their last 10 games.

In fairness, though, 8 of those 10 games were played on the road, so a return home might help, although they did just split a 2-game set with the Reds at Miller Park heading into this one. Overall, though, the Brewers are 17-9 SU in their own ballpark, so there is every reason to believe they might get the win here. They will send Chase Anderson (2-0, 2.66 ERA) to the mound on Friday.

Team Stats

• Runs: 4.90
• Hits: 8.53
• Walks: 4.00
• Strike Outs: 9.65

Defense

• Runs: 4.65
• Hits: 8.39
• Walks: 3.65
• Strike Outs: 9.16

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Phillies vs Brewers MLB Week 8 Betting Trends

• Phillies are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games against an opponent in the National League
• The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Philadelphia’s last 18 games on the road
• Brewers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home
• The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Milwaukee’s last 18 games against an opponent in the National League

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Phillies vs Brewers

While the Brewers have had the best of their previous meetings this season, you still feel that this is a series that could go either way. I think it is Milwaukee who have a slight edge at home on Friday night, so I’m taking them to win a close one.

Score: Philadelphia Phillies 3 Milwaukee Brewers 4