Philadelphia Phillies vs Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Preview (August 19): Look for Little Offense as Diamondbacks Eye Stunning Sweep of Phillies

A week and a half ago, the Philadelphia Phillies were poised to take control in the NL East race. After a three-game sweep of the New York Mets in a showdown for first place, the Phillies were riding an eight-game win streak that had taken them to the top of the division. They were two games ahead of the Atlanta Braves and 2.5 games ahead of the Mets, and MLB betting odds had shifted in favor of the Phillies to win the division.

But what comes up can come down, and the Phillies have come hurtling back to reality at warp speed. Since holding that two-game lead over the Braves, the Phillies have gone 2-6. In that same time span, the Braves are 8-1. As a result, the Braves now lead the NL East by 3.5 games, and the Phillies have treaded into some tricky territory.

This week, the Braves and Phillies have had to face a road series against one of MLB’s worst teams. But while the Braves finished off a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins last night, the Phillies dropped a second straight game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Phillies need a win today in order not to lose even more ground on the Braves, who are idle as they prep for a trip to Baltimore to face the Orioles. Fortunately, they are sending their ace to the hill for this afternoon’s series finale, and that ace happens to be the MLB betting favorite for the NL Cy Young award. Will he add to his resume and lead the Phillies to a much-needed win ahead of a big series in San Diego?

Philadelphia Phillies (61-59) vs Arizona Diamondbacks (40-81), Bally Sports Arizona, 3:40 p.m. ET

Probable Pitchers

• Philadelphia Phillies: Zack Wheeler (10-7, 2.56 ERA)
• Arizona Diamondbacks: Madison Bumgarner (6-7, 4.30 ERA)

Phillies vs Diamondbacks Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Phillies -198, Diamondbacks +166
• Total: OVER 8.5 (-105), UNDER 8.5 (-115)
• Run Line: Phillies -1.5 (-120), Diamondbacks +1.5 (+100)

Phillies vs Diamondbacks odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Thursday, August 19 at 8:30 a.m. ET. For MLB betting odds for today’s other matchups, check out our MLB odds page.

Phillies vs Diamondbacks Betting Consensus

• Moneyline: 75% Phillies, 25% Diamondbacks
• Total: 75% OVER, 25% UNDER (at O/U 8)
• Run Line: 25% Phillies, 75% Diamondbacks

Philadelphia Phillies vs Arizona Diamondbacks August 19 Matchup: Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Philadelphia Phillies vs Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Outlook

Slumbering Bats Must Wake Up Against Bumgarner

The Phillies’ reversal of fortune over the last week and a half is largely down to their bats going silent after a productive spell during their eight-game win streak.

During the win streak, the Phillies scored 48 runs, including a 15-run outburst against the Pirates to begin the streak on August 1. But in their last eight games, they have managed all of 19 runs, an average of 2.4 runs per game. In six of eight games, the Phillies have been held to two or fewer runs, including both losses to the Diamondbacks.

In the first two games of the series, the Diamondbacks set themselves up well with solid starts from Taylor Widener and Humberto Castellanos, which is notable. But even more notably, their bullpen, which is statistically one of the worst in the league, has allowed only two (inconsequential) runs over 7.2 innings across the two games.

This afternoon, the Phillies must contend with Arizona’s most accomplished starter in Bumgarner. Bumgarner was sidelined from early June to mid-July due to shoulder inflammation, but since returning he has been a bright spot. Over his last six starts, he has five quality starts and is 2-2 with a 2.12 ERA. In his three August starts, which have come against the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants, Bumgarner is 1-1 with a 2.18 ERA and three quality starts.

Wheeler in Need of Strong Start After Bumpy Outing Against Reds

That puts a lot of pressure on Wheeler to be excellent and bounce back from a subpar outing in his last start. Last time out, he allowed two homers and four runs in six innings in a 6-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Prior to his last start, Wheeler had allowed only three homers in his previous 11 starts and 10 in his first 23 starts this season.

A better day this time out will benefit those backing Wheeler for the NL Cy Young. The latest MLB betting odds at BetOnline Sportsbook have Wheeler as a +195 favorite, with Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes at +340, Dodgers hurler Walker Buehler at +350, and Brandon Woodruff of the Brewers at +440. With Burnes and Buehler in especially fine form at present and pitching for teams in stronger positions than the Phillies, Wheeler needs to be dominant to hold them off.

Wheeler’s form after his poorer outings should provide a lot of encouragement for Phillies backers. Friday’s outing was the sixth time this season that he has allowed four or more earned runs. In the following start the first five times, he is 5-0 with a 1.38 ERA.

Will a dominant outing be enough to lead the Phillies to a vital win? Or will the Diamondbacks finish off the sweep for their sixth win in seven games?

Philadelphia Phillies vs Arizona Diamondbacks Best Bet

Phillies/Diamondbacks UNDER 8.5

With Bumgarner pitching well since coming off of the IL, Arizona’s bullpen putting in good performances recently, and Wheeler’s success after subpar starts, the under has excellent value for this matchup, even if it moves back to 8.

August 19 MLB Schedule

MLB Betting Matchup: Los Angeles Angels (61-61) vs Detroit Tigers (58-64), Bally Sports Detroit, 1:10 pm ET

Probable Pitchers

• Los Angeles Angels: Jose Quintana (0-3, 6.12 ERA)
• Detroit Tigers: Matt Manning (3-5, 6.10 ERA)

Los Angeles Angels vs Detroit Tigers August 19 Matchup: Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Baltimore Orioles (38-81) vs Tampa Bay Rays (74-47), Bally Sports Sun, 1:10 p.m. ET

Probable Pitchers

• Baltimore Orioles: Jorge Lopez (3-13, 6.14 ERA)
• Tampa Bay Rays: Shane McClanahan (7-4, 3.73 ERA)

Baltimore Orioles vs Tampa Bay Rays August 19 Matchup: Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Seattle Mariners (65-56) vs Texas Rangers (42-78), Bally Sports Southwest, 2:05 p.m. ET

Probable Pitchers

• Seattle Mariners: Chris Flexen (10-5, 3.78 ERA)
• Texas Rangers: Spencer Howard (0-3, 5.61 ERA)

Seattle Mariners vs Texas Rangers August 19 Matchup: Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Houston Astros (70-50) vs Kansas City Royals (52-67), MLB Network, 2:10 pm ET

Probable Pitchers

• Houston Astros: Luis Garcia (9-6, 3.30 ERA)
• Kansas City Royals: Mike Minor (8-11, 5.35 ERA)

Houston Astros vs Kansas City Royals August 19 Matchup: Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Oakland A’s (68-53) vs Chicago White Sox (71-50), MLB Network, 2:10 p.m. ET

Probable Pitchers

• Oakland A’s: Cole Irvin (8-11, 3.52 ERA)
• Chicago White Sox: Dylan Cease (9-6, 4.04 ERA)

Oakland A’s vs Chicago White Sox August 19 Matchup: Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Minnesota Twins (54-67) vs New York Yankees (69-52), MLB Network, 7:05 p.m. ET

Probable Pitchers

• Minnesota Twins: John Gant (4-6, 3.49 ERA)
• New York Yankees: Jameson Taillon (7-4, 3.89 ERA)

Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees August 19 Matchup: Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Miami Marlins (51-70) vs Cincinnati Reds (65-57), MLB Network, 7:10 p.m. ET

Probable Pitchers

• Miami Marlins: Zach Thompson (2-5, 2.91 ERA)
• Cincinnati Reds: Luis Castillo (6-12, 4.51 ERA)

Miami Marlins vs Cincinnati Reds August 19 Matchup: Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Milwaukee Brewers (74-47) vs St. Louis Cardinals (61-58), Bally Sports Midwest, 7:45 p.m. ET

Probable Pitchers

• Milwaukee Brewers: Brandon Woodruff (7-6, 2.18 ERA)
• St. Louis Cardinals: Jon Lester (4-6, 5.32 ERA)

Milwaukee Brewers vs St. Louis Cardinals August 19 Matchup: Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: New York Mets (60-60) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (75-46), MLB Network, 10:10 pm ET

Probable Pitchers

• New York Mets: Taijuan Walker (7-7, 3.75 ERA)
• Los Angeles Dodgers: TBD

New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers August 19 Matchup: Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More