The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t have much to counter Philadelphia Phillies starter Cliff Lee with in their series opener on Monday at Citizens Bank Park. The former Cy Young Award south-paw carved up the boys from Tinsel Town, striking out 10 in seven scoreless innings leading Philadelphia to a 3-1 win. Tonight (7:10 pm ET) the Phillies try to get two in a row from LA and look to veteran right-hander Roy Oswalt to get the job done. LA counters with a rookie, right-hander Ruby De La Rosa, who's making his Major League debut as a starter.
Philadelphia is lined a solid -175 MLB Odds favorite with Oswalt going against a rookie, while the betting total (over/under) is eight. Run line odds show the Phillies at -1 1/2 getting +130 while the price of LA at +1 1/2 is -150.
In his last outing, Oswalt allowed two earned runs over five innings in Wednesday's loss to the Nationals. In the game, Oswalt didn't have his best stuff, giving up six hits while walking out two and striking out three. With the loss, his record fell to 3-3, however, Oswalt has an excellent ERA currently 2.70 after 50.0 innings pitched. Oswalt has started nine games in 2011.
Early betting trends show the betting-public seems to be buying the Phillies as serious MLB Odds favorites, wagering them on the run line by 84% and 74% wagering for a SU moneyline win. Totals' bettors (56%) are risking the combined score falls UNDER the posted total.
The Phillies currently hold a 4.0 games lead over second place Florida in the National League East Division. At 36-24, the Phillies have the best won-loss record in the NL. Philadelphia has won two games in a row but is 5-5 of its last 10.
Los Angeles is 28-33 and in fourth place in the NL West 6.5 games off the pace of the first place San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers have won six of its previous 10 games.
