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MLB Picks: The Atlanta Braves will go for the sweep tonight against the Phillies at Turner Field. Atlanta, which is 6-2 versus Philadelphia this season, won game one 5-4 and they scored an 11-1 blowout last night. Online bookmaker BetUS.com has the Braves favored -140 on the moneyline in tonight's MLB Picks: Phillies vs Braves MLB Betting Odds - July 2, 2009.

Atlanta won their third straight game last night blasting the Phils 11-1. Braves starter Jair Jurrgens worked seven innings and limited Philadelphia to one hit and no earned runs. Meanwhile, Bobby Cox offense cranked out 14 hits and pounded Phillies ace Cole Hamels for nine hits and seven earned runs in four innings.

The Braves recent run has brought their record to 37-40 and left them three games behind the first place Phillies in the National League East standings. Atlanta is 20-21 at Turner Field this season.

Starting this evening for the Braves is the hard luck Javier Vazquez. Vazquez has pitched brilliantly this year as his 3.04 ERA and almost six to one strikeout to walk ratio would attest, but his record is just 5-7 in 16 starts. Things have been even worse for Vazquez at Turner Field where he is 2-5 in nine starts with a 2.95 ERA. However, in two starts versus Philadelphia this season, Vazquez is 1-1 with a 3.92 ERA. He has allowed nine hits and five earned runs to the Phillies in 13.2 innings.

Philadelphia dropped to 39-36 last night and their lead in the NL East shrank to just a half game as the red hot Marlins have closed the gap over the last several days. Charlie Manuel's squad is still an impressive 26-14 on the road this season, but they have won just three of their last eight away contests. 

The southpaw J.A. Happ will attempt to get his fourth win of the season tonight as he makes his eighth start. Happ is 3-0 since being assigned to the rotation with a 3.25 ERA. In nine road appearances (three as a starter) Happ is 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA; opponents are hitting just .186 against him in their home ball parks.

Happ has made one showing against the Braves this year, a two inning effort out of the bullpen back on April 8th. The 26 year old Illinois native gave up one hit and two earned runs in that outing.

This evening's game scheduled to get started at 7:00pm ET at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia.

MLB Trend: Atlanta is 1-6 in Vazquez' last seven starts. Braves opponents have averaged just 3.14 runs per game in that stretch, but Atlanta has produced a ridiculous 1.43 runs per game in support of the 11 year veteran.

BetUS.com MLB Picks: Phillies vs Braves MLB Betting Odds - July 2, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 (-175), Over 8 (-115), +120 (Moneyline)

Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+155), Under 8 (-105), -140 (Moneyline)

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