The Philadelphia Phillies (27-54 SU, -19.05 Units) might have the worst team in baseball, but they have at least shown some spunk lately and could have some good value against the Atlanta Braves (38-41 SU, +3.97 Units).
PITCHING MATCHUP
The Phillies know that they are going to get what they get out of Kevin Correia. This was a man who didn't have a job at the outset of the season for a reason, and if you find yourself betting on him, you're really only betting on the rest of the team to pick him up.
Sure, Correia threw 5.2 scoreless innings in his first start as a Phil, but he has yet to get through six innings in a game, and he has allowed five unearned runs, which puts a tremendously negative light on his 3.60 ERA.
That said, Alex Wood has been the picture of consistency this season for the Braves. You know you're not going to get beaten by a man who is going to walk too many batters or give up that many home runs, as his pitches are consistently down in the zone and are usually dipping.
Wood has allowed more than three runs just once this whole season, that coming at home against the Nats, though it should be noted that the only start he had which lasted fewer than five innings did come here at Turner Field against these Phillies on May 4.
Still, Wood has a good history against the Phils, going 2-2 with a 2.61 ERA. It's tough to say anything bad about his prospects in this game from a live betting standpoint, so there probably isn't such a thing as a bad time to think about placing a bet on the Braves while he is still in the game.
ADVANCED STATS
Signs of better luck are there for the Phils offensively. They still don't have the pitching to be able to really get anywhere, but thanks to young players like Maikel Franco, there is at least something to watch in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Phillies have hit .263 as a team over the course of the last seven days, though their power numbers aren't good (.110 ISO), they are at least making good contact, ending in a .313 BABIP. We're a little concerned about the lack of speed this lineup has, which is going to end up costing it in terms of balls put in play, but certainly, after racking up 16 hits on Thursday night against the Brewers at home, things are at least looking up a bit.
TALKING BULLPENS
The concern that we have for the Braves is that they have had to use their bullpen quite a bit of late. They have thrown 11 innings in relief in the last three games, and though they have been good in that stretch with just two runs allowed, that's still a lot of innings pitched for relievers in a stretch of 13 straight games without a day off leading into the All-Star break.
Atlanta's arms have been good of late in relief, but for the season, this unit has a 4.26 ERA. Sure, stranding just 72.0 percent of runners almost has to improve, and a FIP of 4.06 suggests just that as well, but those still aren't good numbers, especially for a team which has used its pen as much as the Braves have.
The MLB lines for this Saturday contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
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