Angels vs. Phillies Odds
| Angels Odds | +100 |
| Phillies Odds | -120 |
| Over/Under | 9 (+100 / -120) |
| Time | 7:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
We have the first matchup of this three-game interleague series, as the NL East's Philadelphia Phillies host the AL West's Los Angeles Angels. This is the first meeting between these two clubs this season.
Will the Phillies get the job done as a short home favorite, or can the Angels pull off the upset on the road?
Angels Schedule Could Cause Problems
The Angels enter this contest in awful form after losing eight straight games. I expect this trend to continue, as right-hander Chase Silseth is projected to take the mound for the Angels.
Over his three starts this season, Silseth possesses a 3.07 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. While those surface-level numbers are strong, his metrics suggest regression is looming for Silseth.
Silseth holds a .395 xwOBA, .271 xBA and .434 xSLG. Los Angeles has lost two of the three games (67%) that Silseth has started.
Following Silseth is a bullpen that has struggled recently. Since the beginning of May, the Angels' relief pitching ranks just 22nd in ERA, 20th in BA, 25th in SLG and 19th in wOBA.
Another reason to fade the Angels in this contest is the tough scheduling they've dealt with lately. Yesterday, the Angles had to play a doubleheader against the Yankees and then had to travel to Philadelphia afterward. They're now playing again tonight on a short turnaround.
Will Joe Girardi's Firing Help Phillies?
While the Angels are coming into this contest on a difficult turnaround, the Phillies enter this series following a much-needed off day. Some big news broke this morning, as the Phillies fired manager Joe Girardi.
Filling in for Girardi on an interim basis will be Rob Thomson. I think a managerial change, which was definitely needed, will provide a bit of a spark for a club that has struggled this season.
Right-hander Zach Eflin is projected to take the mound for the Phillies in this game. Eflin has had some poor outings this season, owning a 4.60 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.
That being said, Eflin's metrics suggest that positive regression is right around the corner, as Eflin possesses a .267 xwOBA, .222 xBA and .360 xSLG.
Angels-Phillies Pick
This could be an ugly game. Both of these teams have been struggling mightily recently. With that being said, I'm backing the starting pitcher with better metrics.
Add to the fact that the Angels are coming off of a day in which they played two games and traveled, I would not be shocked if Mike Trout or Shohei Ohtani (or both) get the night off.
With the Phillies playing under a new interim manager, they could get the spark they need on their home field and walk away with a win tonight.
Pick: Phillies ML -120 (Play to -135)
