Phillies vs Dodgers Odds - Phillies' depth will reign supreme again
The Phillies vs Dodgers odds treat us to an MLB betting rematch of last year’s National League Championship Series. Last season, L.A. couldn’t keep up with the Phillies’ big bats. This season, with the Phillies offense even stronger and the Dodgers still lacking pitching depth, history could repeat itself.
Phillies vs Dodgers odds: Phillies remain baseball’s deepest team in both hitting and pitching
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Phillies vs Dodgers odds maker breakdown: Hitting lineup
It’s difficult to find a sportsbook betting edge between the National League’s two best lineups top-to-bottom, but no team in the NL - or perhaps all of baseball - can match Philadelphia’s game-changing power. Ryan Howard drove in six runs in four games against the Rockies and Jayson Werth smacked a pair of homers plus the series-clinching hit. Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley add more 30-homer power and Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino are elite table setters. The Dodgers’ lineup wasn’t quite firing on all cylinders against St. Louis in the NLDS. However, whatever L.A. lacks in consistency it makes up in clutch performance. Andre Ethier came up with big hits all season and did so again in the NLDS, hitting two homers. Manny Ramirez needs no introduction. The rest of the core Dodger group, including Matt Kemp and Rafael Furcal, provides pop and timely hits from time to time. The Phillies still have the deeper, more potent lineup, though. Betting Edge: Phillies
Phillies vs Dodgers odds maker breakdown: Starting pitching
The Dodgers got better starting pitching than they expected to in the first round, outpitching even the outstanding Cardinals’ arms. In a seven-game series, however, the Phillies have a much deeper group than the Dodgers do. Cliff Lee has been every bit the ace the Phillies hoped he would be when they acquired him and he showed that in the NLDS, allowing two runs in 16.1 dominant innings. He and Cole Hamels form a superior one-two punch to the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf. After the No. 1 and 2 spots, the Phillies have Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ and the option of using Pedro Martinez and/or Jamie Moyer. The Dodgers counter with vets like Vicente Padilla, Jeff Weaver and Jon Garland. Whose staff would you prefer on your team? Betting Edge: Phillies
Phillies vs Dodgers odds maker breakdown: Bullpen
Brad Lidge showed his online sports betting detractors that any regular-season mistakes can be forgiven if you succeed in the playoffs; he saved two games against Colorado, including the series-clincher. But no one can match the Dodgers’ pen, which led the majors in ERA this season. Jonathan Broxton is unbelievably overpowering, if sometimes wild, and former All-Star closer George Sherrill is rock-solid in setup duty. Pick: Dodgers
Phillies vs Dodgers odds maker breakdown: Defense
The Phillies have playmakers on defense in the likes of Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins, but the Dodgers have a better-all around “D” with James Loney, Matt Kemp, Rafael Furcal, and so on. Neither team’s defense is a liability but the Dodgers have the superior group. Betting Edge: Dodgers
Phillies vs Dodgers odds breakdown: Outlook and Pick
I don’t want to take away what the Dodgers did to shock the Cardinals, but there are two points worth noting. First, Matt Holliday literally gave a game to L.A. – one the Cardinals totally had won. Second, the Phillies are the deepest team in baseball, and a seven-game series will prove that more than a five-gamer can. Bet on the Phillies. DALE’S PICK: Phillies in six
For full Phillies vs Dodgers odds, check out the BetOnline.com sportsbook. For sports betting tips on every Division Series game, keep reading the Betting Edge. Dale Lalonde is BetOnline.com's MLB expert.
