Phillies vs. Dodgers prediction and odds for Tuesday, May 2 (Back Phils in Bryce Harper's season debut)
By Reed Wallach
He's baaaaaack.
Former National League MVP and Phillies slugger Bryce Harper is set to return to the lineup as a designated hitter after a remarkable recovery from Tommy John surgery for the Phillies on Tuesday.
Only 159 days after Tommy John surgery, two-time MVP Bryce Harper has been cleared to play by the Philadelphia Phillies, sources tell ESPN. A remarkable recovery, shattering expectations he’d return in July. He's expected to be in the lineup starting at designated hitter Tuesday.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 1, 2023
Harper's return will provide a jolt for the Phillies against the Dodgers, who are off a 13-4 loss in the series opener. With Philadelphia in a heated division race with the likes of the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves, the return of Harper will be a massive boost to the team's hopes of getting back into pennant contention.
Here are the odds for Tuesday's highly anticipated matchup:
Phillies vs. Dodgers odds, run line and total
Phillies vs. Dodgers prediction and pick
The return of Harper is exciting as the Phillies have erased a slow start to the season, and they can use Harper against Dodgers' starter Julio Urias, who has been stellar this season but battled allowing home runs.
Opponents have hit nearly two home runs per nine innings against Urias so far this season, erasing some of his electric punch out stuff. With Harper back in the lineup as DH, that's another slugger for the Dodgers left hander to worry about.
Long term, Harper raises the ceiling of the Phillies, but on Tuesday, it's really about the pitching matchup for southpaw Matt Strahm. He's been fantastic in his first year with the club, posting a 2.31 ERA while punching out more than 12 batters per nine innings and will now face a Dodgers team that is surprisngly last in the bigs in batting average against lefties.
While the Dodgers have plenty of firepower, it's not there against left handed pitching and Strahm can absolutely outperform this price tag.
I'll grab the Phillies as small road underdogs with Harper back in the lineup and Strahm back on the bump.
While the Dodgers have plenty of firepower, it's not there against left handed pitching and Strahm can absolutely outperform this price tag.
U'll grab the Phillies as small road underdogs with Harper back in the lineup and Strahm back on the bump.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.