Streaking Phils, Look To Increase Slim NL East Lead

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The Phillies are now in first place by 1/2 game in the NL East after beating the Washington Nationals 1-0.

The Phillies will hand the ball to a rookie starter who will be making just his third big league start on a hunch by manager Charlie Manuel.

Left-hander J.A. Happ, (0-0, 5.71 ERA) will replace schedule starter Kyle Kendrick tonight to make his first start in over two months. Kendrick has struggled recently and allowed seven runs in just 1.1 innings in a 10-8 loss to Florida last Tuesday.

"I feel like Kyle mentally needs a break," Manuel said Tuesday. "He's mentally and physically in a down period right now I think."

The Phillies brought Happ back to the big league club from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on July 4 and watched their young hurler hold his own, posting a respectable 3.27 ERA in two starts.

However, Happ has been knocked senseless in three relief appearances, allowing seven runs and 10 hits in just 6.1 innings with a high 9.95 ERA.

The Braves will also send a rookie starter to the mound, albeit one that is much more accomplished in new staff ace Jair Jurrjens, (13-9, 3.62).

Jurrjens, who leads all rookies in wins, enters tonight’s contest looking to become the first Braves rookie to win 14 games since 1983.

Jurrjens is 2-0 in his last four starts but BetUS MLB bettors should know that he has posted a high, 6.30 ERA during the span and allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings of Atlanta’s 8-4 win over Colorado on Thursday.

Phillies first baseman and 2006 NL MVP, Ryan Howard had four hits on Tuesday including a two-run homer in the eighth inning that turned out to be the game-winner.

Howard is batting a blistering .396 this month with eight home runs and 22 RBIs.

"Maybe it's just the pennant races are heating up," he said. "I'm just trying to go out there and do what I can to help my team."

Here is a look at tonight’s key MLB online betting Free Picks:

The Phillies are 4-0 in their last 4 games on grass.

The Phillies are 4-0 in their last 4 overall.

The Braves are 5-1 in their last 6 games on grass.

The Braves are 5-1 in their last 6 overall.

The Over is 4-0 in Phillies last 4 vs. National League East.

The Over is 6-0 in Braves last 6 home games.

The Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.

The Phillies are 19-7 in the last 26 meetings in Atlanta.

Philadelphia Phillies +1 ½ -190

J.A. Happ –L +105

Atlanta Braves -1 ½ +160

Jair Jurrjens –R -125

Over 10 Ev

Under 10 -120

Analysis: The Braves clearly have the better starting pitcher on the mound tonight, but Philadelphia has all the momentum in the world right now and have been getting some timely hitting from nearly every position player on the roster. Oh did I mention Philadelphia also has a red-hot Ryan Howard? Take the Phillies to find a way to beat Jurrjens and the Braves while continuing their march toward a second consecutive NL East title.

MLB Free Picks: Philadelphia 5 Atlanta 4