Dodgers vs Phillies odds - no Manny, more problems as Dodgers travel to Philly
Online sports betting handicappers have been forced to adjust their perception of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Star outfielder Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games following a failed drug test, which leaves the Dodgers shorthanded for about a third of the season. The loss has had an immediate effect as the Dodgers have lost three of their last four games, and now they head to Philadelphia for a three-game set with the Phillies.
Dodgers vs Phillies odds: Dodgers slumping without Ramirez
- Dodgers are 1-8 in last nine meetings
- Phillies experiencing a serious slump of their own
- Phillies offense weakened by Jimmy Rollins early season struggles at the plate
The Dodgers vs Phillies odds will be eyed by many sportsbook handicappers this week, as many pundits projected earlier that the two teams would meet up in the playoffs. The Dodgers have kept up their end of the bargain by posting a 22-11 record to start the season, but they have been forced to make a huge adjustment with Ramirez out of the lineup. Without their No. 3 hitter, a lot of handicappers are wondering whether the Dodgers will revert to being the light-hitting team they were before he arrived. Players like Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, James Loney and Russell Martin have developed since then, so the Dodgers batting numbers will dip but they won’t be the worst hitting team in the league.
Dodgers vs Phillies odds handicappers should take note that the Dodgers have really struggled in Philadelphia of late. Overall, they have won just once in their last nine meetings, and the Dodgers have lost their last six contests at Citizens Bank Ballpark. The trends for the recent history between the Dodgers vs Phillies odds is just a microcosm of West Coast teams traveling to the East Coast – they struggle because of the long road trip.
While the Phillies may be the defending Champs, they have had plenty of recent struggles of their own. The Phillies are just 15-14 on the season and just 7-10 at home, which is why bettors will be on the fence with their picks on the Dodgers vs Phillies odds. The Phillies have been underachieving mostly because their All-Star shortstop, Jimmy Rollins, has been struggling to find hits at the top of the Phillies order. Rollins finished April with a .207 batting average and a .241 on-base percentage. After a brief spike in production where he .306 over eight games, he’s fallen back into his slump with an 0-for-13 stretch in his last three games.
The Dodgers vs Phillies odds might be tough to handicap given their recent struggles, but history shows that the Phillies dominate this matchup at home.
Skip Lalonde’s Pick: Bet on the Phillies to win this series.
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Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
