The Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres will go head-to-head in Game 1 of the NLCS on Tuesday.
Both Philadelphia and San Diego shocked their opponents in the NLDS. The Braves were expected to beat the Phillies, while the Dodgers were favored against the Padres. But the Phillies and Padres turned those projects upside down and clinched berths in the NLCS.
Game 1 will be a pivotal contest, as the team that wins Game 1 tends to fare well in the postseason series.
The first pitch is scheduled for 8:03 PM EST on Tuesday, October 18th, at Petco Park in San Diego, CA. Let’s take a look at the Phillies vs. Padres odds.
Phillies vs. Padres Odds
The Padres are favored, but not by much. As aforementioned, both these teams were heavy underdogs in their previous series. However, neither team holds a discernible advantage heading into the NLCS.
The home team will likely be favored throughout this series unless there is a major pitching advantage. With Yu Darvish set to face Zack Wheeler in Game 1, San Diego is listed as the favorite because of their home-field advantage.
Let’s take a closer look at the Phillies vs. Padres odds for Game 1.
Matchup Information
- Time and Date: 10/18/2022, 8:03 p.m.
- Location: San Diego, California
- Venue: Petco Park
- How to Watch: FS1
Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Diego Padres Betting Preview
Starting Pitchers
This projects to be a pitcher’s duel with Zack Wheeler and Yu Darvish set to face off.
Wheeler’s Performance Recap
Wheeler finished the 2022 campaign with a sparkling 2.82 ERA. He only made 26 starts due to injury, but he shined when he was on the mound for the Phillies.
Wheeler struck out 163 batters in just 153 innings of work. He would have eclipsed the 200-strikeout mark had he not been listed on the MLB injury report during the season.
Wheeler’s 1.04 ERA was decent as well, and he’s a guy the Phillies fully believe in.
Wheeler owns a 2.19 ERA through two games so far in the 2022 MLB playoffs. He’s also struck out nine batters in 12.1 innings of work. Philadelphia will let him pitch deep into this game if he performs well.
Yu Darvish’s Performance Recap
Yu Darvish posted a 3.10 ERA in 2022 to go along with a 0.95 ERA. Darvish struck out 197 batters in 194.2 innings of work. His command of the strike zone has always been impressive, and he should be in line for a solid outing on Tuesday.
Darvish is developing into a postseason veteran. He’s now pitched in five different playoffs with four different teams. Through two games in the 2022 playoffs, Darvish has a 3.00 ERA to go along with 11 strikeouts.
The San Diego home crowd will look to motivate Darvish on Tuesday night.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Diego Padres Betting Preview
After reviewing the starting pitchers and NL low vs. NL high odds, it is time to make our final prediction for Game 1.
The over/under is set at 6.5 for this game. Despite Philadelphia’s loaded offense, oddsmakers are trusting in the Petco Park conditions and strong pitching to prevail.
When teams see Petco Park on the MLB schedule, they are well aware that the ball does not travel well. Nevertheless, there are hitters in this series who still have the ability to make the ballpark look tiny.
Can the Phillies Upset the Odds on the Road?
Philadelphia should be able to keep the score close. As a result, there is a strong chance that this contest finishes in a 1-run game. Rolling with Philadelphia as the underdog on the run line is the best MLB pick for today.
Game 1 is going to be a thrilling affair. Zack Wheeler and Yu Darvish will both give their teams a chance to win, but San Diego should be able to ultimately emerge victorious.
MLB Pick: Padres (-115)
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