The Atlanta Braves shut out the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday to even their NL Division Series at one game each. The teams will play Game 3 on Friday in Philadelphia.
Series odds changed only slightly after the Braves followed their Game 1 loss with a win. The defending champions are priced at -155 to win the best-of-five series by Caesars Sportsbook. The Phils, who lost their first game of the playoffs in Game 2, are now listed at +135 to win the NLDS.
The Braves are priced at +105 for Game 3, while the Phillies are favored at -125, according to DraftKings. Over at BetMGM, the odds are +100 for Atlanta, and -120 for Philadelphia. It may be best to bet on the run line, where you can get +190 on the Phils and 1.5 runs.
The Braves are +600 to win the World Series, according to Caesars. The same sports betting app has the Phillies at +1100 to win the World Series, which is down from +1200.
The Phillies will host their first playoff game since 2011 on Friday, when Aaron Nola takes the hill for the home team.
Phillies vs. Braves Game 3 Odds
We’ll list Game 3 NLDS Braves vs. Phillies odds here as soon as they are posted by the popular sportsbooks.
Braves Even NL Division Series
The Braves coasted behind superb pitching by starter Kyle Wright in Game 2, evening this best-of-five-NL Division Series. The teams reconvene in Philadelphia on Friday for Game 3.
The Braves got RBIs from Trevor d’Arnaud, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley, three relief pitchers logged scoreless innings to finish off the shutout of the Phillies.
The winner of the NLDS between Atlanta and Philly will face the winner of the Dodgers/Padres series. which is tied at one game apiece.
Braves vs. Phillies Pitching Matchup, Game 3 NLDS
TBD (12-7, 2.82 ERA) vs. Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA)
The Braves have yet to announce their Game 3 starter. Manager Brian Snitker can turn to rookie Spencer Strider or veteran Charlie Morton, nearly twice as old as the younger option. Strider is considered a top candidate for NL Rookie of the Year on the strength of an 11-5, 2.67 ERA season. He posted an amazing 13.8 K rate on 202 strikeouts in just 131 2/3 innings.
But there is a worry with Strider: the righty has not pitched in the majors since Sept. 18 due to an oblique injury. It’s likely that Snitker and the Atlanta front office will weigh whether they want to use Strider to start a game or as a relief specialist.
Morton struggled down the stretch, with a 6.23 ERA over his final five starts. He has a history of pitching in the postseason, with 16 starts and seven wins on his record. But last season when the Braves won the World Series, Snitker used the tall, thin righthander as sort of an opener: he pitched just 16 2/3 innings in four starts.
In his Wild Card start against the Cardinals, Nola was brilliant, pitching into the seventh and not allowing a run. He gives the Phillies a strong edge in Game 3 at home, where he tossed a shutout this season. Atlanta knows Nola well: he made five starts against them in 2022, with a 3.67, and a fine 41-to-7 K/BB rate in 34 1/3 innings.
Pay attention to Ronald Acuna Jr., who has four career homers against Nola in 36 ABs (361/465/806 slash line). Austin Riley owns Nola also, hitting .429 wit three HR against him in 42 ABs.
Atlanta Braves outfielders Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) Atlanta Braves Eddie Rosario (8) and Atlanta Braves Michael Harris II celebrate a win after the ninth inning in Game 2 of baseball’s National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Braves won 3-0. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Braves, Phillies NLDS Game 3 Odds, Prediction
We don’t know which pitcher the Braves will hand the ball to on Friday for Game 3, which makes handicapping this contest tricky. We like Aaron Nola on the mound after his good start in the previous round of the MLB Playoffs. But, we are a little worried about several key Braves hitters having an excellent track record against the pitcher. We lean toward Philly at home.
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