If the Atlanta Braves have any designs on winning the National League East Division in 2011 they need to win a few head to head battles with the division's best, that being the Philadelphia Phillies. Atlanta would be in the thick of any of baseball's other division races with their 21-19 record but the Phillies at 25-12 are good enough to run away and hide with the lead intact. For Saturday's 1 PM (ET) matinee at Turner Field in Atlanta, the Braves have a chance to even up their current home series with the Phillies after losing Friday's opener. The Phillies could be vulnerable with a struggling Jo Blanton scheduled for the start while the Braves counter with right-hander Jair Jurrjens (4-0, 1.50 ERA).
Based on today's starting pitchers, offshore MLB Lines list the Braves as -167 moneyline favorites for the game with a posted run-total of 8 1/2. Phillies backers are getting +147 as moneyline underdogs. For betting action to count Blanton and Jurrjens must start the game.
The Phillies didn't have an answer for Jurrjens on Sunday losing in Philadelphia to the Braves 5-2. Jurrjens went 6 1/3 frames, only giving up one earned run and lowering his career ERA against the Phillies to 2.45 after 50 career innings pitched.
Through five starts for the Phillies this season, Blanton had been battling elbow problems and has missed two starts because of it. In spite of feeling some discomfort, Blanton is expected to be Saturday's starter. Blanton is currently 1-1 on the season with a 5.83 ERA, through 29.1 innings pitched.
The Philadelphia Phillies, at 11-to-4 odds, are favorites on most oddsmakers World Series Predictions boards both offshore and Las Vegas.
On Friday the Phillies edged the Braves by a run, winning 5-4 at Even Odds (+100) while the nine runs to cross the plate was good news for OVER bettors based on the posted 8-total.
Betting OVER (8 1/2) on Saturday's Braves/Phillies game is my MLB Picks special. The total has gone over in eight of Atlanta's last nine games at home and has surpassed the total in four of Atlanta's last five games when playing at home against Philadelphia.
