The Philadelphia Phillies (16-10) take on the San Diego Padres (14-14) Friday in the opener of a 3-game set at PETCO Park at 9:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Phillies vs. Padres odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Phillies won 5-2 last year
The Phillies head to the West Coast after taking Thursday’s game 5-0 against' the Reds in Cincinnati. It stopped a 2-game losing streak that followed a 7-game winning streak. After a slow start to the season, the Phils are 8-2 over the last 10 and have drawn within 2 1/2 games of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. OF Kyle Schwarber has yet to find it as he’s 4-for-36 (.111) with 3 of those hits leaving the park in the last 10 games.
The Friars must have been ready to leave Denver as they dropped Thursday’s game 10-9. They were up 9-4 before giving up 6 runs in the 8th to split the 4-game series. Hot-hitting rookie OF Jackson Merrill missed Thursday’s game with a groin injury, but he’s expected to be available Friday. He’s hitting .318 with 1 HR and 12 RBIs. He’s at a cool +500 if you’re looking to get in on him for NL Rookie of the Year.