MLB Odds – Philly vs Arizona

After a red-hot start the Philadelphia Phillies have cooled off, losing three of their last five games. Can they rediscover their early season success, when they travel to Arizona to take on the Diamondbacks?

Philadelphia Phillies (10-5 SU, 10-5 R/L, 9-6 O/U) at Arizona Diamondbacks (6-9 SU, 7-8 R/L, 10-4-1 O/U)

Saturday, April 24: 8:10 p.m.

Philadelphia:
(Nelson Figueroa-R)

Arizona:
(Ian Kennedy-R)

If Philadelphia is to get a win on Saturday evening, it will come from the strength of one of baseball’s best offenses. From top to bottom, there might not be a more potent group in all of the majors, as the Phillies rank third in the majors, averaging 6.04 runs per game.

The best player in the National League’s best lineup may be second baseman Chase Utley. On the season, Utley has been on fire, as he’s already hit six home runs and driven in 14 runs, both of which put him amongst the league’s leaders. Former MVP Ryan Howard is also hitting well, batting .294 with three home runs and 16 RBI.

As for Arizona, their offense too has been carrying them, although it’s not necessarily the players expected coming in.

Instead it has been shortstop Stephen Drew who has been carrying the load early on, as he’s hitting a robust .315 with two home runs and eight RBI. Third baseman Mark Reynolds is having a typical season, as he already has five home runs to lead this team, but is also hitting just .220. And finally there’s young outfielder Justin Upton. The 22-year-old is off to an incredibly slow start, as after hitting .300 in 2009, he’s down to .186. There might not be a player who needs a big series more in this one than Upton.

In Saturday’s MLB betting action, the Diamondbacks will send young righty Ian Kennedy to the mound. Kennedy has been a up and down early on, as so far he’s 0-1 with a 5.65 ERA. However despite those unimpressive numbers, he has had two starts in which he recorded at least seven strikeouts, meaning that when he does find the plate, he’s effective.

Opposing Kennedy on Saturday will be Nelson Figueroa, a veteran right hander himself, who’ll be making his first start of the season on Saturday. Figueroa has been impressive in long relief so far, as he’s given up just two earned runs in 7.1 innings spanning three starts. Last season Figueroa did work as a starter with the Mets, going 3-8 in 16 starts.

While many of the experts might say to expect a high scoring game in this one, the play here is Arizona in an under.

The truth is, that despite Kennedy’s early struggles, he is a pitcher who simply needs to get more starts under his belt, as he slowly transitions from the American League (where he was with the Yankees in 2009) to the National League. He has looked good at times, but simply needs to work on his command, and control, two factors which will come in time for the 25-year-old.

And with Figueroa being a mixed bag in every sense of the word for Philadelphia, make the Diamondbacks your pick Saturday.

We’re not saying that Arizona is the better team, or that Philadelphia shouldn’t be feared going forward. Just that the matchups favor them Saturday.

Make them your play in the MLB betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Arizona moneyline