Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
The Atlanta Braves can clinch a fourth consecutive National League East title when they host the Philadelphia Phillies for the conclusion of a 3-game series on Thursday night. When this series began, the Braves were clinging to a 1.5-game lead in the division. Two consecutive victories have Atlanta’s magic number down to 1, whereas Philadelphia would be leading by a half-game if it had managed to take the first 2 contests. What a swing! Let’s take a look at the best same game parlay option for Phillies-Braves, and be sure to also check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Atlanta Braves -3.5 alternate spread (+280)
Ian Anderson to record 7+ strikeouts (+230)
Parlay odds: +1073
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is the entire plan here, as Ian Anderson striking out Philadelphia batters left and right would obviously go well with an Atlanta win. Let’s break down each of the legs one by one.
Atlanta Braves -3.5 alternate spread (+280)
The Phillies know their season is over. Even if they somehow win today, they would have to sweep Miami this weekend and the Braves would have to lose 5 games in a row. That’s not happening. And because the Phils know it’s over, they probably won’t win on Thursday, or even come close. The pitching matchup doesn’t help. Kyle Gibson has not been able to carry over the success he had with Texas to Philadelphia after being acquired at the trade deadline. In 10 starts with the Phillies, he is just 4-5 and his ERA is exactly 2 runs higher than it was in the American League with the Rangers. For Atlanta, Anderson is coming off one of his best starts of the season (1 run allowed on 2 hits and 1 walk in 7.0 innings against Arizona). The Braves have one of their better pitchers on the mound and a lineup with power from top to bottom, so this contest could get out of hand.
Ian Anderson to record 7+ strikeouts (+230)
The Phillies have scored a grand total of 3 runs through their 2 biggest games of the year, both losses to the Braves that have effectively ended their hopes. Philly hitters have struck out 18 times, including 16 against Atlanta’s 2 starting pitchers (10 by Charlie Morton and 6 courtesy of Max Fried). That doesn’t bode well for their chances when facing Anderson, who has mowed down 9, 7, and 8 batters in his 3 most recent starts. In 4 appearances against the Phillies this year he has reached the 7K mark twice (once in 5.0 innings and once in 6.0 innings). There is no reason why Anderson can’t get there again.
Pickswise is the home of free MLB Picks and Predictions. Check out the latest MLB Prop Bets and MLB Parlays as well as our MLB Best Bets from the experts.
