World Series betting inches closer as we’re down to Major League Baseball’s final four. The National League Championship Series is a rematch of last year’s matchup, pitting the Phillies against the Dodgers. Will the Phillies prevail again or will the Dodgers get revenge?
NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers
Best-of-seven series Game 1 is Thursday, October 15, 8:07 p.m. ET
Series sports book prices: Phillies +105, Dodgers -125
After their strong regular season and dominant performance in the NLDS against the Cardinals, the L.A. Dodgers are favored to beat the Phillies. L.A. has plenty going for it; the Dodgers specialize in clutch hitting, having led the Majors in walk-off wins this season. Manny Ramirez is always dangerous in close games and Andre Ethier has emerged as a “big hit” machine; he cranked two homers against the Cards in three games. The Dodgers play great defense too, led by Orlando Hudson, Rafael Furcal and Matt Kemp, and boast arguably baseball’s best bullpen (according to stats; their pen had the majors’ lowest ERA).
However, the Dodgers aren’t perfect. Compared to the remaining contenders, they lack starting pitching depth. Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf are nothing to sneeze at, but can that tandem compare to Hamels/Lee? Sabathia/Burnett? Lackey/Weaver? Arguably not. In a best-of-seven series, the Dodgers will have to rely on Vicente Padilla and Jon Garland more. Padilla especially has been an inspiring story, but can he be relied upon in crunch time?
The Phillies follow up Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee with Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ and even Pedro Martinez if they need him. They’re a much deeper team, not just pitching-wise. In Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth, the Phillies had four 30-homer guys this season, and that doesn’t even factor in what Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino can do at the top of the order.
The Phillies depth will shine through in a longer series; make them your baseball picks to outlast the Dodgers.
Betting services recommend: Phillies +105
