Change is good.
Change is really good, so far, for the Phillies.
Following the firing of manager Joe Girardi on June 3, the Philadelphia Phillies (26-29, .473) have stepped up their performance, winning five consecutive games.
The last two came in ultra-dramatic fashion. Even the most optimistic Pennsylvania sports betting fans couldn’t have foreseen what happened.
Last night, in Milwaukee, the Phillies trailed the Brewers, 2-1, heading into the top of the ninth inning. In came Josh Hader, the lefthander considered by many the best closer in the game. In fact, Hader entered the game tied for the Major League Baseball record of 40 consecutive scoreless appearances, dating back to last season.
Lights out, right?
Not so fast.
Back-to-Back Comeback Wins
Alec Bohm tied the game with a home run off Hader. Amazingly, Matt Vierling, hitting .170 and having been called up from Triple A Lehigh Valley earlier in the day, hit another off Hader. The Phillies won, 3-2.
The day before, in Philadelphia, the Phillies trailed the Los Angeles Angels, 6-2, in the bottom of the eighth. Bryce Harper crushed a grand slam to tie it. After falling behind, 7-6, in the top of the ninth, the Phillies did it again in the bottom of the inning, as rookie Bryson Stott uncorked a three-run homer to win it.
The Phillies remain 10½ games out of first place in the National League East, behind the red-hot New York Mets, but only 3½ games back in the wild card chase.
Updated Odds on Phillies
Under new manager Rob Thomson, the Phillies are undefeated (4-0) and have outscored their opponents during the win streak, 29-11. Worth gambling on?
BetMGM Sportsbook PA released updated future odds Wednesday morning for the NL East, NL Championship Series and World Series winner and below are updated odds for the Phillies in each:
NL East: The Phillies opened the season at +450 to win the division and because of the malaise they have been in for the past two months, those odds have skyrocketed up to +1500, making them the third choice in the division behind the Mets (-450) and Atlanta Braves (+375). BetRivers Sportsbook PA has the Phillies at +1400.
However, bettors have 44.3% of the tickets (tops in the division) and 33.4% of the handle (second in the division) for the Phillies to take home the NL East crown.
NLCS: To come back and win the National League, the Phillies opened the season at +1600. Those odds have slightly increased to +2000 (currently eighth). Bettors have 13.1% of the tickets for Philly to win with 6.7% of the handle percentage. BetRivers has the team at +2500.
World Series: The Phillies have remained where they were at the start of the season, opening and currently at +3500, with 4.5% of the tickets and 4.2% of the handle percentage.
Bettors will continue to keep an eye on the Phillies with their new manager, new energy and new focus.
PennStakes.com is a good source for wagering updates and Pennsylvania sports betting promo codes.
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Future Odds
The other team in Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Pirates, also have updated future odds by BetMGM.
NL Central: The Pirates (24-29, .453) are only seven games behind Milwaukee out of first place in the National League Central and 4½ games out of a Wild Card spot, as they have won six of their last 10 games.
The Pirates opened the season at +3000 to win the division and now are at +20000, with 10% of the tickets and 3.1% of the handle. Milwaukee is at -200.
NLCS: Opening the season at +12500, Pittsburgh is now at +40000, with 1.8% of the tickets and 0.4% of the handle.
World Series: The Pirates opened the season at +15000 and now are at +75000, with 0.5% of the tickets and 0.2% of the handle.
