The Philadelphia Phillies will look to pull even in their three game set opposite the Giants as the two National League rivals square off at Citizens Bank Park later today. This afternoon’s potential series decider between the two clubs is scheduled to get underway at 4:05pm ET. The latest MLB Odds have Philadelphia listed as a -130 moneyline favorite to even the series at a game apiece; the Giants are drawing +120 odds to win their third consecutive series. Today’s game total is set at seven runs; the Under is presently favored at -125 odds.
Philadelphia started the season’s second half in fine fashion, taking four of its first five post-All-Star Game contests. It has reverted back to its first half form of late though, falling 5-3 on Wednesday night to the Dodgers and 7-2 to the Giants in last night’s series opener with San Francisco.
The Phillies, who are 41-53 overall and 17-28 at Citizens Bank Park, will attempt to get things turned around with veteran lefty Cole Hamels getting the start this afternoon. Hamels brings an 11-4 record into today’s game, but the Phillies have dropped three of his last four starts, despite his yielding only eight earned runs over 29 innings (2.48 ERA). The San Diego native finally got a little run support last weekend as the Phillies won 5-1 at Colorado; Hamels allowed just six hits and one earned run over eight innings in the victory.
Hamels, who sports a 3.07 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 18 appearances this season, is 5-3 with a 3.95 ERA in 10 career outings against the Giants.
San Francisco improved to 52-41 with last night’s victory and it has won six of seven since the Mid-Summer Classic. The team will call on NL All-Star Game starter Matt Cain to keep the momentum intact this afternoon. Cain had a couple of rough outings heading into the break, but he returned to form last Sunday, holding the Astros to five hits and one earned run over 6.1 innings to improve to 10-3 on the season.
Cain, a strong Cy Young candidate, brings a 2.56 ERA and 0.96 WHIP to the hill today; he is 1-4 in eight career appearances against the Phillies (3.42 ERA).
MLB Odds Betting Trend: The Giants are 8-2 in Matt Cain’s last 10 starts as a road dog with a game total between six and seven runs.
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MLB Odds 2012 San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies: Provided by TopBet.eu
San Francisco Giants +1.5 (-200), Over 7 (+105), +120 (Moneyline)
Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+170), Under 7 (-125), -130 (Moneyline)
