Now into the third week of the 2011 Major League Baseball season, the Philadelphia Phillies are right where they're expected to be, on top of the National League Central Division standings with a 10-4 record. Monday, the Phillies host NL Central favorites Milwaukee Brewers for a series at Citizens Bank Park. The Brewers (7-8) are currently in fifth place, two games in back of leaders Cincinnati in the crowded NL Central. The Phillies enter this series installed as -260 odds favorites to win the three game set. Toeing the rubber for the Phillies in Monday's game will be right-hander Joe Blanton (0-1, 10.45 ERA). Milwaukee will counter with right-hander Shaun Marcum (2-1, 2.55 ERA).
At +250 futures odds, the Philadelphia Phillies are the predicted MLB Odds favorites to win the 2011 World Series.
Marcum has been effective in the season's early going this season. On Wednesday the right-hander pitched seven shutout innings against the Pirates only giving up four hits and one walk while striking out four. Marcum has a solid 2.55 ERA through 17.2 innings pitched giving up only six runs on 13 hits through three starts.
With Blanton, success has been slow to come. The Phillies fifth starter is currently 0-1 through two starts with a bloated 10.45 ERA. While Blanton's rotation mates are racking up wins, Blanton is struggling, despite the Phillies strong offensive support. In Blanton's last start.
For tonight's game oddsmakers list the Phillies as -120 moneyline favorites with Blanton the scheduled starter while Brewers backers are getting +110 with Marcum starting. Oddsmakers opened totals betting (OVER/UNDER) with a combined game score of nine.
The Phillies are no doubt the team to beat in the NL this season but for my MLB Picks tonight I feel the Brewers, getting +110, are the best value wager.
