Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves: Odds, Picks, and Predictions – April 8, 2025
The Philadelphia Phillies (7-2) travel to Truist Park to face their NL East rivals, the Atlanta Braves (1-8), on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.1 This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams, with the Braves having won the season series 7-6 in 2024.
Current Betting Odds:
- Moneyline: Phillies -105, Braves -115
- Run Line: Phillies -1.5 (+170), Braves +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under: 7 runs (Over -105, Under -115)
Pitching Matchup:
- Philadelphia Phillies: Zack Wheeler (1-0, 1.38 ERA)
- Atlanta Braves: Chris Sale (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
Phillies Overview:
The Phillies are off to a strong start to the 2025 season, winning 7 of their first 9 games. They are coming off a series win against the Los Angeles Dodgers, including an 8-7 victory on Sunday where Nick Castellanos hit a grand slam.2 The Phillies’ pitching staff has been impressive, allowing three or fewer runs in 5 of their last 6 games. Zack Wheeler has been a standout, with a 1.38 ERA and 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings in his first two starts.3
Braves Overview:
The Braves, on the other hand, have had a difficult start to the season with only one win in their first nine games. After losing their first seven games, they shut out the Miami Marlins 10-0 in their home opener but followed that up with a 4-0 loss. Their offense has struggled, ranking near the bottom of the league in batting average and runs scored. Chris Sale is looking for his first win of the season, but he has allowed three earned runs in each of his first two starts.
Key Stats and Trends:
- The Phillies have won 5 of their last 6 games.
- The Under has hit in 6 of the Phillies’ last 7 games.
- The Braves have lost 7 of their last 8 games.
- The Under has hit in 5 of the Braves’ last 7 games.
- Zack Wheeler has a strong track record against the Braves in his career (13-8, 2.95 ERA).
- Chris Sale has faced the Phillies multiple times, with a career 1-2 record and a 4.63 ERA against them.
Expert Picks and Predictions:
- Moneyline: Phillies (-105) – Despite being on the road, the Phillies’ strong start and the Braves’ struggles make Philadelphia the lean in this matchup. Zack Wheeler’s solid history against Atlanta also favors the Phillies.
- Run Line: Pass – While the Phillies have been good against the spread (7-2), laying 1.5 runs against a team with a Cy Young caliber pitcher like Chris Sale is risky, even if he hasn’t performed up to par yet this season. The Braves +1.5 (-210) offers little value.
- Over/Under: Under 7 (-115) – With two strong starting pitchers on the mound and the Phillies’ recent trend of low-scoring games, the under looks like a solid play. The Braves’ struggling offense also contributes to this prediction.
Score Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies 3, Atlanta Braves 2.
Additional Notes:
- The Braves have several key players on the injury list, including Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider, which could further impact their performance.4
- The Phillies’ offense has been more consistent than the Braves’ early in the season, ranking higher in batting average and runs scored.
Disclaimer: Betting involves risk. Please bet responsibly. Odds are subject to change.