Atlanta (43-39) at Philadelphia (37-47)
When: Friday, July 6th, 2012
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Time: 7:05 ET
TV: DirecTV 727 (Braves), 728 (Phillies)
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If you’re betting online, you’ll see a host of matchups this weekend in Major League Baseball that will be the last series for the teams before the All-Star break, but there is still some work left to do. Atlanta is in Philadelphia to conclude the first half of the season, and the Phillies would love to go into the break with some momentum.
Braves Phillies Odds - Friday, 7:05 PM ET
Tim Hudson (6-4, 3.87) was tagged hard in an 8-4 loss at home to Washington, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits over six innings, striking out four and walking two, and it was also the third time in four starts Hudson was taken deep. If the Braves are going to remain in the running in your best online sportsbook, they’ll need Hudson to be more consistent as their rotation has been banged up. The 36-year-old (soon to be 37 on July 14th) is making his 23rd start against the Phillies, going 7-8 with a 3.71 ERA, and at Citizens Bank Park, Hudson is 1-3 in six starts with a 4.30 ERA. Hudson is no stranger to getting hurt either, but the Braves can’t afford to lose him or have Hudson struggle badly.
The Phillies counter with Kyle Kendrick (2-8, 5.35), which can’t be encouraging to MLB betting players looking to wager on Philadelphia as he gave up five runs on six hits over seven innings of a 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh at home, striking out six and walking three. It was the fourth time in five starts that Kendrick had allowed five runs or more, and it was also the second time in four starts that he was taken deep twice, so Kendrick could be en route back to the bullpen if Roy Halladay is ready to return to the rotation after the break. The 27-year-old is 6-1 in 15 games (10 starts) against the Braves with a 2.53 ERA, but at home in 2012, Kendrick is 1-5 in eight games (six starts) with a 5.54 ERA.
Betting websites could favor the Braves on the road in Philadelphia, although they’ve lost seven of their last 10 trips to the City of Brotherly Love, with six games going under the posted total. The reason why Atlanta could be favored at home is because Kendrick has been brutal lately and his home splits are ugly. Hudson hasn’t been at his best, but even an inconsistent Hudson is better than Kendrick, who is much better suited for the bullpen and we’ll see that again on Friday. Take the Braves in your favorite sportsbooks.
UltimateCapper Prediction: Phillies +117
