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NLCS Game 2 – Phillies Look to Take Commanding 2-0 Lead Over Dodgers

Bookmark and Share by Eric Williams

The Philadelphia Phillies (97-70 SU, 85-80 RL, 74-83-8 O/U) will be looking to take an strangle hold on the series tonight against the Los Angeles Dodgers (98-68 SU, 79-86 RL, 73-79-13 O/U) when they square off at Dodger Stadium in Game 2 of their NLCS showdown today at 4 PM ET.

The Phillies beat the Dodgers 8- 6 in Game 1 on Thursday, cashing in for those who backed the defending champs as a +120 road underdog while the game’s 14 combined runs played well Over the 7.5-run Over/Under total.

Cole Hamels got the win despite allowing four runs over eight innings while Clayton Kershaw surrendered five runs over 4.2 to get tagged with the loss.

Left-fielder Raul Ibanez went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer while catcher Carlos Ruiz went 2-for-3 with his own three-run dinger.

Manny Ramirez went 1-for-5 and hit a two-run homer in a losing effort.

Today, the Phillies will give the ball to veteran right-handed starter Pedro Martinez (5-1, 3.63 ERA) while the Dodgers counter with flame-throwing right-hander Vicente Padilla (13-6, 4.31 ERA).

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends and MLB Odds, followed by my in-depth analysis and expert MLB Free Picks.


  • Phillies are 4- 0 in their last 4 road games.
  • Phillies are 6- 1 in their last 7 playoff road games.
  • Phillies are 11- 2 in their last 13 vs. National League West.
  • Phillies are 13- 3 in their last 16 playoff games.
  • Phillies are 4- 1 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
  • Phillies are 8- 1 in Martinez’s last 9 starts.
  • Dodgers are 7- 1 in their last 8 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
  • Dodgers are 5- 1 in their last 6 overall.
  • Dodgers are 1- 5 in their last 6 League Championship games.
  • Dodgers are 1- 6 in their last 7 games as a favorite.
  • Dodgers are 7- 1 in Padilla’s last 8 starts.
  • Dodgers are 4- 1 in Padilla’s last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Phillies are 5- 2 in the last 7 meetings in Los Angeles.
  • Phillies are 12- 5 in the last 17 meetings.
  • Over is 12-5-2 in the last 19 meetings in Los Angeles.

MLB Odds


  • Philadelphia Phillies +1½ -165
  • Pedro Martinez –R +130
  • Los Angeles Dodgers -1½ +145
  • Vicente Padilla –R -150
  • Over 9 +105
  • Under 9 -125

The Starters: Pedro Martinez has gone 1-1 over his last three starts with a solid 3.60 ERA while Vicente Padilla has gone 2-0 over his last three starts with a stellar 2.65 ERA.

Analysis: The Philadelphia Phillies are on fire and are my pick to take their second consecutive game over the Los Angeles Dodgers, though I will be the first to admit, that it will be a lot tougher getting to an incendiary Vicente Padilla than it was getting to a young, Clayton Kershaw.

First and foremost, the Phillies – and most notably prolific home run-hitting first baseman Ryan Howard – pound right-handed pitchers like they’re going out of style.

Howard (39), Jayson Werth (22), Chase Utley (20) and Game 1 hero, Raul Ibanez (22) have all hit at least 20 homers off of right-handers and I expect them to pound fast-ball specialist Vicente Padilla when he ‘grooves’ one or two down the middle of the plate.

The Dodgers have pounded right-handed hitters themselves this season, going a stellar 7-1 SU in their last eight home games against a right-handed starter and an identical 7- 1 in Padilla’s last eight starts overall. Still, I’m starting to think the Phillies simply have L.A.’s number as they’ve gone an impressive 5- 1 in their last six LCS games and 6- 1 in their last seven games as an underdog, telling me Philadelphia generally rises to the occasion even when they’re expected to lose.

The Phillies are 6- 1 in their last seven playoff road games, 11- 2 in their last 13 games against NL West ballclubs and a scorching 13- 3 in their last 16 playoff games.

The Phillies have also gone 8-1 in Pedro Martinez’s last nine starts, 5- 2 in the last seven meetings in Los Angeles and a bankroll-boosting 12- 5 in the last 17 games against the Dodgers.

Philly has gone an encouraging 4- 1 in their last five games against a right-handed starter and are the correct pick to win this contest tonight.

With the Over going a red-hot 12-5-2 in the last 19 meetings in Los Angeles, I say it plays out again tonight.

Take the Phils and the Over in this MLB parlay people!

MLB Free Picks: Phillies SU Win/Over 8½ Total Runs