MLB NLCS Series Preview: Vegas Odds, Picks, and Predictions

The San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies are playing in the NLCS. San Francisco won the season series 5-4. The Padres are -125 favorites in this series on the Vegas odds. Philadelphia is a +105 underdog. The Phillies won't be making their first postseason appearance since 2011.

Padres have steamrolled two 100-win teams this season. Philadelphia just knocked out defending champion Atlanta.

The Padres have made a lot of moves to get to this point. They fired manager Jayce Tingler last October and signed veteran Bob Melvin. The team was the most active at the trade deadline, bringing in Juan Soto, Josh Hader, and Josh Bell. Brandon Drury hit a grand slam on the first pitch he saw with the team.

Phillies have star power as well. They added Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, and Jeurys Familia to their team. Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, J.T. Realmuto, Jean Segura, etc.

Both teams have good pitching staffs. Yu Darvish will start game 1 for the Padres. The Phillies have a good staff themselves. Philadelphia has a disadvantage when it comes to relievers. The Padres bullpen has 2.19 ERA this postseason. It has had good results against the Mets and Dodgers.

Bob Melvin will be the real MVP of the NLCS. The Padres are underdogs, but they have been winning series against the Mets and Dodgers. Carl Taylor has been betting on sports for the past 24 years. He has won and lost a lot of money on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, PGA, UFC, and NASCAR.