Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies NLDS odds have Atlanta as a heavy favorite. The same can be said for Braves vs. Phillies Game 1 odds, with the Braves priced as the chalk to take the series opener on Saturday. While Philadelphia ( in Game 1) may have some momentum from their wild-card series sweep, Atlanta is a juggernaut.
Don’t forget, though, that it was only a year ago when sports bettors watched Atlanta falter in the MLB postseason. The Braves have taken a much different approach this year, one that has been unique and grabbed national headlines. Atlanta held intrasquad scrimmages and treated them like real games, even letting fans be in attendance.
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The Braves seem to be doing everything they can to ensure they avoid another early playoff exit and are taking an approach that should help them stay rested but avoid rust.
Don’t overlook the Phillies, though, who have plenty of star power and playoff experience of their own. Bryce Harper is back to full strength and is looking to lead the Phillies to playoff glory, adding to his Hall of Fame legacy.
Braves vs. Phillies Game 1 odds and NLDS series price
Braves vs Phillies Game 1 odds have the NL’s regular season wins leader as substantial home favorites. Here are current odds from top sportsbooks:
Atlanta is also favored on the series price to advance to the ALCS, as well as sportsbooks’ top choice to win the World Series, the best price at for gamblers.
Here are early series prices from top sportsbooks:
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Atlanta Braves betting news
The Braves have got to the playoffs through a jaw-dropping regular season where fans watched the team break all types of records and cruise into the playoffs as sportsbooks’ unanimous betting favorite to win the World Series.
Atlanta is working hard to avoid being the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who set records but fell short of a championship.
It all starts with the Braves lineup, which arguably has more power top to bottom than any team in MLB history. With five players with over 30 home runs and every starter having at least 17 HRs, Atlanta strikes fear into opponents, with every player seemingly able to go yard on the next pitch. It puts so much pressure on the opposition, as one lapse in concentration or a poorly placed pitch will likely end up beyond the outfield wall.
One thing that could hold Atlanta back is its pitching. While it is not a weak point, it has a few question marks. First off, the Braves have two, maybe three starters who can be aces and shut down the opposition.
The only question is will the third guy, Charlie Morton, be healthy enough to make it on the ALDS roster for Atlanta? That is to be determined, but outside of Morton, there are not any other notable recent injuries Atlanta should have to worry about.
Projected Braves pitching rotation:
Game 1: Max Fried
Game 2: Spencer Strider
Game 3: Bryce Elder
Philadelphia Phillies betting news
Philadelphia is looking to have a second straight season with a magical playoff run. The Phillies are playing their best baseball at the right time and, after a shaky start to the season, are as healthy as they have been all season, with stars like Bryce Harper having injury issues seemingly behind them.
Philadelphia has momentum on its side with a series sweep over the Marlins. The offense for Philadelphia was solid, and the pitching was great, with the Marlins scoring only one run in each game. The only negative from the series is that the Phillies’ two aces, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, will not be ready for the 1st game in their series against Atlanta unless Wheeler goes on short rest.
Philadelphia is coming into this series with likely the same roster as their wild-card series. The only player with any playoff impact potential is if power-hitting first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who comes back from a torn ACL, with reports suggesting he won’t be ready and surely not for the NLDS.
Projected Phillies pitching rotation:
Game 1: Ranger Suarez
Game 2: Zack Wheeler
Game 3: Aaron Nola
Braves vs. Phillies NLDS props
Here is a sampling of early prop odds offered by BetMGM Sportsbook
Game/Series double prop – Phillies vs Braves NLDS
Braves to win Game 1/Braves to win series -120
Braves to win Game 1/Phillies to win series +500
Phillies to win Game 1/Braves to win series +500
Phillies to win Game 1/Phillies to win series +325
Total series games prop – Phillies vs Braves NLDS
Over 4.5 games +165
Under 4.5 games -200
Braves vs. Phillies NLDS prediction: Atlanta in 5
We expect this series to be close. The Braves are excellent, but the Phillies have two ace pitchers who will likely steal a game, maybe two, for Philadelphia.
What makes a difference, though, is if the series does go five games, the Braves will be able to throw Spencer Strider and Max Fried twice each, whereas the Phillies will be able to throw Wheeler and Nola a total of three of the five potential games.
We think the series is likely that close, but imagine either Fried or Strider at home in Atlanta with 40,000+ fans doing the Tomahawk Chop in Game 5. That is simply a situation where it is tough to see any opponent escaping with a win.
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— by Caleb Tallman
This post was modified on 2023-10-05 13:19:15