Diamondbacks vs Phillies: Betting preview & best bets for NLCS Game 2 – With their third straight series-opening win of the 2023 postseason, the Philadelphia Phillies are well positioned to steal a 2-0 in the National League Championship Series.
Another game at the ruckus Citizens Bank Park, on the back of Aaron Nola’s third playoffs start, shouldn’t disappoint in a stadium that The Inquirer’s Matt Mullin refers to as ‘loud as a jackhammer.’
An intro that included home runs from a few familiar Philadelphia faces has set up another exciting matchup to make a little Phanatic green.
Diamondbacks vs Phillies game info
- Location: Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, PA
- Time: October 17th, 8:07p EST
- Channel: TBS
Diamondbacks vs Phillies Betting Stats:
| BOOK | MONEYLINE | SPREAD | O/U RUNS |
| FANDUEL | DIAMONDBACKS (+132), PHILLIES (-156) | PHILLIES -1.5 (+128) | 7.5 |
| DRAFTKINGS | DIAMONDBACKS (+140), PHILLIES (-166) | PHILLIES -1.5 (+130) | 7.5 |
Diamondbacks vs Phillies: Pitching Matchup
Merrill Kelly (1-0, 0.00 ERA) v. Aaron Nola (2-0, 1.42 ERA)
For all the concerns swirling around Nola entering the playoffs, he’s pitched two absolute gems without allowing a single home run. Especially against the juiced-up Atlanta Braves, that’s quite the feat.
Only three D-Backs hitters have faced Nola 8+ times – Jace Peterson (who didn’t make the NLCS roster), Evan Longoria, and Tommy Pham. The collection of Longoria and Pham has hit .235 with five strikeouts through 17 plate appearances. This is all to say that Arizona isn’t familiar with Nola.
You can get Nola to record 7+ strikeouts at plus odds on FanDuel (+154) right now. If you believe he can mirror not only his most recent 9+ K performance against Atlanta but his June 15th 9+ strikeout clinic against the Diamondbacks, 9+ nets +600 odds. That’s $10 to win $60, and Nola’s been icy in the playoffs.
Quick Hits – Diamondbacks vs Phillies – NLDS Game 2
Going Lower on Nola
Including the postseason, Nola recorded 9+ strikeouts in 17.6% of his starts. That’s why you’re getting those 6-to-1 odds.
In fact, through seven career postseason starts, he’s only eclipsed six strikeouts once, which was last week against the Braves. A postseason average strikeout total of 5.57 K’s per start isn’t inspiring, especially against an Arizona squad that recorded the 4th fewest strikeouts in the 2023 regular season.
With that in mind, I’m going with Nola to record 6+ strikeouts, and I will throw those -132 odds into a couple of parlays for tonight.
Trea Turner is underrated
Bryce Harper‘s undoubtedly been the hero of the 2023 postseason, but what Trea Turner’s done through seven playoff games has been unprecedented. And he’s done it quietly (blaming hot Harper for that, too).
Two home runs have been nice, but Turner’s hitting .500 through almost 30 at-bats with an OPS of 1.426. That includes seven extra-base hits and four stolen bases. This is all five tools on display.
For that, we’re looping Turner to record 2+ bases into every parlay I can dream of. He’s managed at least two bases in all but one game of the 2023 postseason. The cherry on top – Turner’s hitting .429 with six RBIs against Arizona’s Merrill Kelly.
Homers at home
The Philadelphia Phillies have led all teams with 16 playoff home runs. They’re averaging 2.3 long shots per game. A .905 team OPS and 126 total bases collected have led the Phillies to a 6-1 record, with few speed bumps along the way.
Of those home runs, Harper (+360) and Nick Castellanos (+460) have nine. Unoriginal, I know, but I’m putting $5 on both men for the rest of this series.
I’m adding Turner (+370) to that list as well. Anything at CBP in October should feature a specific excess of bell ringing.
Diamondbacks vs Phillies best betting offers
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
