MLB Betting Free Picks: Philadelphia @ Atlanta

Added on May 31, 2010 by Jack Thurman in

MLB

Memorial Day in the US on Monday, and sportsbooks will have plenty of daytime baseball betting action. We’ll look at a National League East matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves. Hard to believe that given the way these two teams were playing early in the season that the end of May would see them in a virtual dead heat for first place. Phillies have returned to earth after their torrid start, while Atlanta has been in excellent form lately winning 5 straight and 8 of their last 10.

Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves
May 31, 10:05 AM Pacific

Braves are a decent sized favorite in this matchup, likely due to their exceptional performance at Turner Field this season. Atlanta is 16-6 on their home field, but the Phillies are solid on the road with a 15-11 mark. Braves have been sensational in May, winning 19 of 27 games. Phillies come into the series after taking two of three from Florida over the weekend. Neither of the two starting pitchers involved in today’s contest have been particularly sharp of late. The Braves’ Tommy Hanson is coming off of a nice performance against Florida, but he was hit hard in his previous two contest. Hanson’s overall ERA is 4.06, but he’s posted a 6.41 number in 5 home starts. Philadelphia’s Joe Blanton has 5.62 ERA overall and a 7.30 ERA on the road.

Earlier in the season Philadelphia was tearing the cover off the ball and Atlanta was struggling, but now their offensive numbers are very similar. So in an even matchup, we’ll obviously look to take the best price. Worth noting that the Phillies have dominated head to head play of late–they’re 26-16 against the Braves over the last three seasons including 15-6 +10.5 units at Turner Field.

Bet Philadelphia (Blanton) +140 over Atlanta (Hanson)