National League East leaders Philadelphia Phillies embark on a nine-day eight-game road trip beginning today with a three-game set against the Florida Marlins at Sun-Bank Park in Miami (7 PM ET). The Phillies just completed a home series with the Braves, losing two of three games where their struggling offense only managed to score five runs. The Marlins haven't fared any better losing two of three at home to the Washington Nationals. Florida, only two games back of Philadelphia in the NL East standings, can catch the Phillies with a successful series.The Phillies are listed on the Bodog.com daily MLB Odds board, at -130, favorites to win the series against the Marlins (2-of-3 games).
For Monday's opener, the Phillies welcome right-hander Joe Blanton back to the starting rotation after missing a couple weeks from elbow injury. Blanton struggled in four earlier starts going 0-1 with a 5.92 ERA. The Marlins will start right-hander Javier Vazquez who is 2-2 on the year with a 6.39 ERA.
With Blanton and Vasquez as starters, oddsmakers show the game as a straight up PICK with a money- line price of -105. Run line prices show the Marlins at +1 1/2 giving -170 while the Phillies at – 1 1/2 getting +150.
On Sunday, Philadelphia was a 5-2 loser at home against the Braves. Bettors on Atlanta at +135 on the money-line collected their winnings from that game, while the seven run total sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.
Florida skunked the Nationals on Sunday with an 8-0 result. Bettors who backed the Marlins at -164 on the money-line won on the day, and the eight run total sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.
For my daily MLB Predictions , Florida should have an edge for this game but not by much. Neither starter has kept the run total down which leads me to believe the best bet for Monday's game is the total, 9-OVER. You can get it at a good price too (-105) at Bodog.com.
