Los Angeles Dodgers vs Philadelphia Phillies Picks and Predictions August 7th 2024

Behind Tyler Phillips, Phillies chase series win vs. Dodgers

At 10:10 PM ET, the Phillies and Dodgers will square off in an NL matchup. This one is taking place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, and the Dodgers are favored on the money line, with their odds sitting at -140. The money line odds for the Phillies are at +118, and the over/under line is at 9 runs.

Philadelphia leads the NL East with a record of 67-46, while the Dodgers are atop the NL West at 66-48. Tyler Phillips will go for the Phillies, and he is facing off against Gavin Stone. NSPPH is carrying this game on TV.

Philadelphia vs. Los Angeles Key Information

• Teams: Phillies at Dodgers
• Where: Dodger Stadium Los Angeles
• Date: Wednesday, August 7th
• Betting Odds LAD -140 | PHI +118 O/U 9

The Phillies Can Win If…

Tyler Phillips is on the mound for the Phillies in their road matchup against the Dodgers. He is coming off a rough start against the Mariners, where he took the loss after giving up 8 runs in just 1 2/3 innings. However, he did have a complete game in his first start of the season, and he has a total of 9 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings pitched.

At 4.9 runs per game, the Phillies have the 7th highest-scoring offense in the league this season. They have been even better at home, averaging 5.3 runs per game, which is the best mark in the MLB. Overall, they are 5th in batting average and have the 7th most home runs in the league. Collectively, they have been tough to strike out and are 4th in the league in walks.

Over the past six games, both Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber have been swinging the bat well, with Bohm going 10/26 and Schwarber going 9/24. Bohm has one homer and six RBIs in this stretch, while Schwarber has two homers and three RBIs. Both players are also on extended hitting streaks, with Bohm at eight games and Schwarber at six. For the season, Bohm is batting .298 and Schwarber is at .253.

• The Phillies are 3-7 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Phillies are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Philadelphia has an over/under record of 6-4 in their last ten games.
• The Phillies have an average of 4.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Phillies are 4-6
• Looking back across the Phillies last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Philadelphia has gone 0-3 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Phillies have averaged 3.8 runs per game on offense

The Dodgers Can Win If…

Right-hander Gavin Stone gets the start for the Dodgers today as he faces the Phillies at home. Stone has made 20 starts this season and has a record of 9-5 with a 3.63 ERA. In his last outing, Stone took the loss, giving up five earned runs in four innings of work vs. the Athletics. Before that, he had given up at least one homer in three straight outings. Stone has one complete game shutout this year and eight quality starts. Per nine innings, he is averaging 7.01 strikeouts and 2.5 walks.

Shohei Ohtani has been a force at the plate for the Dodgers this season, as his 34 home runs are 2nd in the league and lead the team. Ohtani is also batting .306 for the season and has driven in 81 runs, which is 5th in the league. Teoscar Hernandez has also been a key power bat for the Dodgers, as his 25 homers are 6th in the MLB and 2nd on the team. Hernandez has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 12/41 in his last 10 games with four homers.

As a team, the Dodgers are 3rd in the league in home runs and are 6th in scoring at 4.9 runs per game. They have been equally as good at home and on the road this season. Overall, the Dodgers offense is 8th in batting average and have the league’s 2nd ranked on-base percentage. Their team OPS of .764 is 4th in the league.

• The Dodgers are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Dodgers are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Los Angeles has an over/under record of 6-4 in their last ten games.
• The Dodgers have an average of 5.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Dodgers are 3-7
• Looking back across the Dodgers last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Los Angeles has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Dodgers have averaged 4.8 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Runs could be at a premium in this one, as we have this as the 6th lowest-scoring game of the day. However, with the line sitting at 9 runs, we are still leaning towards taking the over. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we like the Dodgers to come out on top. Los Angeles starter Gavin Stone has the 5th best chance to pick up a win among today’s starters.

The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for an important game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and all eyes will be on rookie right-hander Tyler Phillips. This promising yet inconsistent pitcher will take the mound on Wednesday night, hoping to lead his team to a series victory on the road.

Tyler Phillips: A Study in Contrasts

Tyler Phillips has had a rollercoaster season, showcasing his potential while also revealing areas for improvement. In his third career start, Phillips threw a stunning four-hit shutout against the Cleveland Guardians, leaving fans and analysts impressed with his skill. However, his next outing was less than stellar; Phillips was shelled for eight runs on five hits in just 1 2/3 innings against the Seattle Mariners. This drastic shift in performance underscores the challenges rookies face in maintaining consistency at the major league level.

Phillips is aware of the pressure and expectations that come with being a starting pitcher in MLB. Following his rough game against the Mariners, Phillips said, “I think the thing that bothers me the most is that I let the team down. I’ve got all these guys in here relying on me. I’ve got an entire fanbase relying on me to go out there and do my job. I’ve got my family relying on me. And it doesn’t feel very good.” This self-awareness and accountability are important traits for a young athlete, as they learn to navigate the pressures of professional sports.

The Opportunity Against the Dodgers

Phillips’s chance to rebound comes in his first-ever matchup against the Dodgers, a team known for its offensive prowess. The Phillies are riding the momentum of a 6-2 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday, thanks to strong pitching from Cristopher Sanchez and offensive contributions from Edmundo Sosa, who hit a home run and drove in three runs.

This win prevented the Dodgers from claiming the top spot in the National League and gave the Phillies only their second victory in nine games. As they seek to build a winning streak, the Phillies are counting on Phillips to deliver a strong performance.

Gavin Stone: The Dodgers’ Rookie Challenge

Facing Phillips will be another rookie right-hander, Gavin Stone of the Dodgers. Stone has had a promising start to his major league career, but recent performances suggest he may be hitting a wall. After a strong first half of the season with a 2.73 ERA through June, Stone has struggled in his last two starts, allowing nine runs combined.

In a game against the Phillies on July 10, Stone gave up four runs on a season-high nine hits over 4 2/3 innings. His inconsistency mirrors Phillips’s, as both rookies strive to establish themselves in the major leagues.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented on Stone’s situation, saying, “Everything I hear from our guys, he still feels strong and the fastball velocity at times during an outing is right in line with where it has been. That’s a good thing. I don’t know if it’s fatigue, but it very well could be.” Stone, however, remains confident, stating, “I feel good with all my pitches. I’m just not executing in certain situations.”

The Stakes for Both Teams

For the Phillies:

The Phillies are looking to capitalize on their recent win to gain momentum. As pitcher Matt Strahm stated, “It’d be nice to get a winning streak going. I’d feel a lot better about that, but this game is really hard. None of it matters unless we do what we need to do at the end.”

A series win against the Dodgers would boost the Phillies’ confidence and improve their standing in the National League. Phillips’s performance will be crucial, not only for the outcome of the game but also for his development as a reliable starter.

For the Dodgers:

The Dodgers are dealing with challenges of their own. Aside from Stone’s recent struggles, the team suffered a blow with the injury to Brusdar Graterol. Graterol, a hard-throwing right-hander, made his season debut on Tuesday following a shoulder injury but exited after just eight pitches due to what appears to be a season-ending hamstring injury.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Roberts. “Brusdar, he’s been so good for us. He’s done a lot of good things, he’s pitched in a lot of big ballgames for us, postseason games. He had a tough road back, and to come back to blow out (his hamstring), that’s (another) long road back. I feel terrible for him and his teammates.”

The Dodgers will need to adjust quickly to the loss of Graterol and find ways to overcome their recent offensive sluggishness, as they managed only seven hits in their last game.

Broader Themes in the Game

Rookie Development:

Both Phillips and Stone embody the challenges faced by rookies in Major League Baseball. Their journeys highlight the steep learning curve and the importance of consistency as they adapt to the demands of the sport.

Team Dynamics and Resilience:

The article paints a picture of two teams working to overcome their respective hurdles. The Phillies aim to end their losing streak and gain ground in the standings, while the Dodgers need to address player fatigue and injuries to maintain their competitive edge.

Accountability and Sportsmanship:

Phillips’s acknowledgment of his performance impact on the team demonstrates accountability and sportsmanship. It highlights the broader theme of individual responsibility within a team sport context, as players learn to balance personal growth with team success.

Conclusion

The matchup between the Phillies and Dodgers offers a compelling narrative of rookie pitchers striving to prove themselves on a big stage. As Tyler Phillips and Gavin Stone take the mound, both teams will be looking to their young talent to make a difference in this critical game. The outcome could have significant implications for both the Phillies’ and Dodgers’ positions in the National League, as they navigate the challenges and pressures of the MLB season.

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