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The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies continue their 2023 MLB playoffs showdown on Monday evening. The Phillies won Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday in Atlanta, taking control of the best-of-five series. The Braves aim to respond in kind in Game 2 on Monday, with standout left-hander Max Fried on the mound. The Phillies will deploy their ace in Zack Wheeler in what could be a pivotal contest between division rivals.

For this game, SportsLine consensus lists Atlanta as -156 money line favorites (risk $156 to win $100) in the latest Phillies vs. Braves odds, and first pitch is scheduled for 6:07 p.m. ET. The total number of runs Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 8. Before you make any Braves vs. Phillies picks, be sure to check out the latest MLB predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It went 331-285 on top-rated MLB money-line picks (+357) over the past two seasons. It entered the second week of the 2023 MLB playoffs 92-74 on all top-rated MLB picks this season and has excelled on top-rated run-line picks, going 18-6 (+766). Anybody following has seen big returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Braves vs. Phillies and just locked in its picks and MLB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several MLB betting lines and trends for Phillies vs. Braves:

  • Phillies vs. Braves money line: Braves -156, Phillies +132
  • Phillies vs. Braves over/under: 8 runs
  • Phillies vs. Braves run line: Braves -1.5 (+135)
  • PHI: The Phillies were 41-40 in regular season road games
  • ATL: The Braves were 52-29 in regular season home games
  • Phillies vs. Braves picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why you should back the Phillies

The Phillies enter Game 2 with a potent offense. Philadelphia is led by Bryce Harper, who reached base in all four plate appearances in Game 1, headlined by a home run. Harper is a two-time MVP and seven-time All-Star, and he posted a .401 on-base percentage this season. Harper also closed the regular season on a scalding-hot run, hitting 16 home runs and producing a .641 slugging percentage over the final 53 games. He headlines a group that scored 796 runs this season, and the Phillies were in the top three of the NL in home runs (220), OPS (.765), slugging percentage (.438), and stolen bases (141).

On the run prevention side, Wheeler takes the ball for Philadelphia, and he has a career 2.55 ERA in the postseason. Wheeler was also one of the best pitchers in the NL this season, ranking near the top of the league in ERA (3.61), innings pitched (192.0), WHIP (1.078), strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.44), and strikeouts per nine innings (9.9). Wheeler also finished the regular season on a high note, producing a 3.01 ERA in his final 13 outings, and he gave up only one run in his first postseason outing against Miami. See which team to back here.

Why you should back the Braves

Atlanta unexpectedly flopped in Game 1, but the Braves sat atop the MLB pecking order during the regular season. The Braves won 104 games and produced the league's best offensive numbers. Atlanta set a modern-day MLB record with a team slugging percentage of .501, and five players blasted at least 33 home runs. Depth was also a tremendous asset for the Braves, with nine players contributing at least 17 home runs, and Atlanta led the NL in runs scored, home runs, batting average, on-base percentage, OPS, and total bases. 

Atlanta also projects in a strong fashion when it comes to run prevention in this matchup. The Braves will send former All-Star left-hander Fried to the hill, and he has a 2.66 ERA combined over the last four seasons. That includes a 2.55 ERA in 2023, and Fried produced more than four times as many strikeouts as walks allowed this season. See which team to back here.

How to make Phillies vs. Braves picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 9.0 combined runs. It also says one side of the money line has all of the value. You can only get the model's MLB picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Braves vs. Phillies, and which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side you need to jump on, all from the model that has gone 91-73 on its top-rated MLB picks, and find out.