The Cincinnati Reds (2-1) visit the Philadelphia Phillies (1-2) on Monday with 1st pitch from Citizens Bank Park scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Reds vs. Phillies odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Phillies won 4 of 7 Games last season
Cincinnati won its 1st series of the year over the Washington Nationals on Sunday with a 6-5 home win on back-to-back 2-out home runs from CF Will Benson and 1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who had the walk-off. The Reds used 6 different pitchers with RP Lucas Sims (1-0) picking up the win.
Philadelphia avoided a sweep against the Braves with a 5-4 win on Sunday. First baseman Alec Bohm had 2 RBIs, both coming during a 3-run 7th inning which gave the Phillies the lead. The Phillies used 6 pitches with RP Matt Strahm (1-0) picking up the win and RP Jose Alvarado (1) earning his 1st save of the season.
Reds at Phillies projected starters
LHP Andrew Abbott vs. LHP Cristopher Sanchez
Abbott went 8-6 with a 3.87 ERA in 21 starts during his rookie year. He had a 1.32 WHIP, 3.62 BB/9 and 9.88 K/9 in 109.1 IP.
- Abbott was named to the NL All-Rookie Team in 2023
- Opened his career with 17 2/3 scoreless innings pitched to become 1st pitcher to have 3 consecutive starts without allowing a run with at least 5 innings since 1983
Sanchez went 3-5 with a 3.44 ERA in 18 starts last season. He had a 1.05 WHIP, 1.45 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 99.1 IP.
- Has appeared in 41 games in 3 years, 22 as a starter
- Pitched 59.1 more innings in 2023 than the previous year and his ERA dropped more than 2 runs and he had 1 less walk (16) than the year prior (17)
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Reds at Phillies odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:12 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Reds +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Phillies -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-160) | Phillies -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Reds at Phillies picks and predictions
Prediction
Reds 6, Phillies 4
Moneyline
BET REDS (+125).
Abbott made a name for himself last year with his ability to keep runs off the board and faces a test in his 1st start of the season against a tough Phillies team. The Reds have scored 20 runs in their 1st 3 games. With their hot bats to start the season, and the momentum for a 2-out rally to win their last game, expect the Reds to take the 1st game of the series from Philadelphia.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
The moneyline presents more profit for Cincinnati.
Over/Under
BET OVER 8.5 (+100).
Cincinnati has been red-hot on offense to start the season and has hit the Over in each of its 3 game this season, allowing 12 total runs in its past 2 games. Philadelphia has also hit the Over in each of its 1st 3 games and has allowed 25 runs while scoring just 12. Both bullpens have not been able to keep runs off the board which will be the key factor in the Over hitting.
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