MLB Playoff Odds - Hamels, Wolf Square Off In Game 1
MLB playoff odds are favoring Los Angeles to unseat the current National League champions, Philadelphia, but there isn’t a clear-cut favorite in the opening game of this series as the Dodgers send out a surprising pitcher who has been their most consistent starter all season against the Phillies’ 2008 World Series MVP.
Phillies vs Dodgers odds - Thursday, October 15, 8:07 PM ET
Cole Hamels (0-1, 7.20) is slated to start after losing Game 2 of the NLDS to Colorado, allowing four runs on seven hits over five innings, although he did have five strikeouts without a single walk. Hamels left the game early to be with his wife, who went into labor, so that may have had something to do with his performance although he had an up-and-down season. Hamels is 1-0 in two starts against the Dodgers this year, including a complete game, and he’s now 2-0 in four career starts with a 1.50 ERA, which will sway some players before they head to their sports book.
Randy Wolf (0-0, 4.91) lasted just 3.2 innings in Game 1 of the Dodgers’ 5-3 win over St. Louis, giving up a pair of runs on six hits. The 33-year-old walked five batters while striking out only two, and he’s facing a team that gave him some trouble with in 2009. Wolf has split a pair of outings with the Phillies this year, posting a 5.11 ERA, and Philadelphia knocked him for six runs in Los Angeles back in June.
Betting services have the Dodgers as a slight favorite at -115, while the Phillies are rated at -105. The Dodgers have won four of seven against the Phillies this year, and they’ll need Wolf to be at the top of his game if they want to start this series off on a good note. They lost to the Phillies in five games last year, so they’ll be motivated. Hamels hasn’t looked like the ace he was in last year’s playoffs, and now with his wife safe, he can focus on the game, which is bad news for the Dodgers. Go with the Phillies in your MLB picks.
