Phillies vs. Diamondbacks prediction and odds for NLCS Game 5
Can the Phillies bounce back in Arizona and regain control of the series?
By Reed Wallach
The Phillies squandered a late lead to the Diamondbacks in Game 4 and we now have a tied series as the series remains in Arizona.
Philadelphia will send out Zack Wheeler to grab a pivotal win and pu tthe Phillies back in control of the series. The Diamondbacks will counter with Zac Gallen, the team's Cy Young candidate who got roughed up in Game 1, but will hope for better fortunes at home and with the team fresh off two straight wins.
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Phillies vs. Diamondbacks odds, run line and total
Phillies vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick
Wheeler was fantastic in Game 1, pitching six innings of two run baseball while only allowing three hits. He has been a fantastic playoff pitcher with Philadelphia, posting a 2.63 ERA in nine starts while striking out 59 batters while only walking eight batters.
The Diamondbacks offense came alive on its home field, but I'm going to side with Wheeler, who had little issue navigating this lineup. Wheeler only walked 5% of batters in the regular season and his ability to avoid mistakes is going to hold down this Arizona lineup.
Meanwhile, I'm bullish that Gallen can get back track after a shaky start at Citizen's Bank Ballpark given his stark splits between home and road.
On the road this season, Gallen has a 4.47 ERA and nearly half his strikeout-to-walk ratio than it is at home. Gallen is striking out more than six batters for every walk dished out at Chase Field while posting a 2.47 ERA in 16 starts.
The scoring in Game 4 got started due to shaky bullpen play, but I believe we see a slow start for boht offenses as each pitcher rises to the occasion. I'll go for the first five under as my favorite bet in Game 5.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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