Phillies vs. Marlins (7/15): Alcantara looks to cap fantastic first half with win

It has been a fantastic first half for Sandy Alcantara, and he will look to close it out with another gem tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies.

A number of pitchers in the National League have stood out in the first three months of the season, but Alcantara is out in front as the NL Cy Young Award favorite ahead of the likes of Corbin Burnes, last year’s winner, Joe Musgrove, Max Fried, and the still-unbeaten Tony Gonsolin.

After winning in extra innings each of the past two days against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Marlins will be looking for a little less drama tonight with their ace on the mound.

The Phillies, meanwhile, will be looking to end a four-game losing streak and pick up a valuable win over a fellow NL wild-card challenger, as the St. Louis Cardinals, who currently occupy the third NL wild-card spot, are a half-game ahead of the Phillies, a game ahead of the Giants, and three ahead of the Marlins.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins
• Venue & Location: LoanDepot Park (Miami, Florida)
• Date: Friday, July 15, 2022
• Game Time: 6:40 p.m. Eastern Time

Phillies vs. Marlins Pitching Matchup

• Philadelphia Phillies: Kyle Gibson (2022: 17 starts, 4-3, 4.53 ERA)
• Miami Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (2022: 18 starts, 9-3, 1.73 ERA)

Phillies vs. Marlins Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. This article may also include odds from other top online sports betting sites that we have reviewed and recommend.

Moneyline

• Philadelphia Phillies +136
• Miami Marlins -162

Over/Under

• OVER 7 (+102)
• UNDER 7 (-124)

Run Line

• Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 (-164)
• Miami Marlins -1.5 (+136)

Philadelphia’s Bats Unlikely to Break Out Against Alcantara

The last week-plus has not been the best of times for the Phillies at the plate, and after being able to counter it with their pitching for the first few games, they dropped the final two games of their series in St. Louis and their two midweek games against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Over their last eight games, the Phils are hitting just .196 and have scored 19 runs. In all but one game, they have been held to three or fewer runs.

During their four-game losing skid, the Phillies have scored just nine runs and are hitting .211.

The issue isn’t getting runners home in the most advantageous positions, either. They are hitting .385 with runners in scoring position in their last four games, but they have logged only 13 at-bats in such situations.

Prosperity is highly unlikely tonight in Miami, with opponents hitting just .179 against Alcantara at LoanDepot Park and .193 overall.

And in the event that the Phillies do get runners on or runners in scoring position, opponents are hitting just .181 against Alcantara with runners on, .209 with runners in scoring position, and .195 with runners in scoring position with two outs.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins Prediction and Best Bets

Phillies vs. Marlins Prediction: Marlins to win

Phillies vs. Marlins Best Bets: Marlins to win by 1-3 runs (+115 at BetOnline)

Of the Marlins’ 43 wins this season, 31 (72.1 percent) have come by one to three runs. That includes nine of the 12 wins that they have had in Alcantara’s 18 starts.

So, the best value with the Marlins tonight is not the moneyline or the run line, but with this bet. Given how frequently they play in and win close games, the value isn’t as great as it could be.

But you can back this confidently, especially when you factor in how, of the seven times the Phillies have lost in a Gibson start, six have been by one or two runs.