The Philadelphia Phillies are set to face the Houston Astros in the third and final game of their series on Thursday at Daikin Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET. Both teams enter the game with matching records of 47-33, though Houston currently leads the season series 2-0.
The Phillies recently suffered back-to-back shutout losses, losing 1-0 and 2-0 in the first two games of the series. Before this series, they had been on a hot streak, winning four of their last five games and sitting atop the National League East standings. The team has a season record of 41-39 against the spread.
On the other hand, the Astros, who hold the number one spot in the American League West, have been performing well, winning six of their last eight games. Their Wednesday victory marked the second time this season they achieved consecutive shutouts. Houston has now won seven straight games at home, though they sit at 38-42 against the spread for the season.
As for the pitching matchup, the projected starters are left-handed pitcher Cristopher Sanchez for the Phillies and right-handed pitcher Hunter Brown for the Astros. Sanchez comes into the game with an impressive 2.87 ERA and a recent win against the Miami Marlins, while Brown boasts a strong 1.88 ERA and has pitched well at home.
Betting odds for the matchup show the Astros favored at -145 on the moneyline, while the Phillies are listed at +118. The run line is set at Phillies +1.5 (-185) and Astros -1.5 (+150), with the over/under at 7 runs.
In terms of predictions, analysts are leaning towards a victory for the Astros, with a suggested score of 4-2, due to the Phillies’ offensive struggles in recent games. Additionally, betting on the under for the game may be wise given both teams’ recent trends.
Fans and bettors alike will be eager to see if the Phillies can turn things around or if the Astros will continue their dominance, especially at home. This game will be crucial as both teams look to solidify their standings in their respective divisions.