Marlins vs Phillies Series Picks: Odds and Expert Betting Predictions
I don't know your favorite team in this year's MLB Playoffs, but I will tell you this. You don't want to play the Philadelphia Phillies.
I understand that the secret is out about them by now. They have been playing as well -- if not better -- than any other team in the league for months.
When the Atlanta Braves went on their big run this season, Philly did fall a couple more games back, but they actually didn't lose any more ground after that.
The Miami Marlins were right with them there for a while. but it's Philadelphia who has proven to be the better team. Maybe we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. I should say that they have a chance to prove it this week in their NL Wild Card Series with the Marlins.
Miami is up on the Phils in head-to-head games in 2023, winning seven of 13 matchups. However, I don't think this series will play out that way. Let's check the betting odds, though, and predict the winner of this Wildcard Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Marlins.
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Betting Odds
Philadelphia: -200
Miami: +170
We told you the secret was out! The Phillies are 2 to 1 favorites in just a 3-game Wil Card Series.
They are the biggest favorites to move on to the next stage than any other in this first round of the MLB Playoffs.
What makes them so feared? They may not have any MVP candidates in their lineup like the LA Dodgers or the Atlanta Braves, but Philly is loaded nearly from top-to-bottom. Another thing I like about that lineup is that it alternates from left-handed batter to right-handed from 1-9.
Most of their power is from the left side, and they will be facing two left-handers in the first two games of the series, but they still have doubles machine, Nick Castellanos, along with Alec Bohm and JT Realmuto to help slug from the right side.
There is just something special about this Philadelphia team. They knocked out the rival Braves in the playoffs last year and came close to winning the World Series.
A Season-Changing Moment for Philadelphia
After several months in 2nd or 3rd place in the NL East, it didn’t take the infamous Philly fans to begin to question their team, particularly the new guy.
Shortstop Trae Turner signed a $300 million dollar contract this offseason, and by August 4, he was hitting .215. That is a former batting champion who has hit over .330 more than once.
The fans had two choices, positive encouragement/reinforcement or take the easy route and double down on a negative response of boos and insults. To the surprise of the sports world, Philly fans took the high road, and it has certainly paid off.
The idea for the surprise standing ovation for the slumping superstar started on social media, and once it went viral, the plan was on. Turner has looked like a different player ever since, and more importantly, it brought their team together more than ever.
That’s a good lesson in life for any of us. It’s been two months now, though. So, I don’t think they are still riding the momentum from that one. Then again, watch one of their home games and tell me that isn’t the most intense atmosphere in the majors.
Can the Marlins Win?
The Miami Marlins are a fun team. They weren’t supposed to do anything this year playing in the stacked NL East. They did manage to make it to the postseason, though. They don’t have anything to lose.
You have seen the odds and heard me gush about the Phillies. So, it wouldn’t signify a failure to the season if they get knocked out of postseason contention in this series.
It would, conversely, be an absolute backbreaker for Philadelphia, though, if they didn't make it past the Wild Card round.
Prediction
I am going with home-field advantage and playoff experience to be the differences in this series.
Philadelphia also has Craig Kimbrel available to close things out in the short set. I think Bryce Harper and Philly's new fresh prince, Turner, each show out in this Wild Card series against the Marlins.
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