Major League Baseball is making history in all sorts of ways in 2020. On Sunday, the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers played a doubleheader in which each game only lasted seven innings. That was the first time MLB teams had played a doubleheader in which both games failed to go nine innings since September 19, 1912, when the Cleveland Naps and the Boston Red Sox had their first game called due to rain after five innings, and the second game was called due to darkness, although the field was described in the Boston Globe as a “wet, muddy pasture.” Sunday’s doubleheader was the first-ever scheduled seven-inning doubleheader in MLB history, and it has to do with the league’s desire to get the games in. Thirty-three games have already been postponed due to the COVID-19 surge in the league, but MLB is soldiering on. The Yankees and Phillies meet Wednesday for a doubleheader; take a look at our sports betting thoughts on the two games and while you are at it, start thinking about the odds for both baseball games.
MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at N.Y. Yankees (August 5)
When: Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 4:05 pm ET
Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 7:05 pm ET
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
TV: FS1 (Game 1); NBC Sports (Game 2)
Radio: WFAN 660 AM New York City / WIP 94.1 FM Philadelphia
Live Stream: MLB.tv
MLB Odds: Click for Up to Date Odds
Projected Pitching Matchups:
Game 1: Aaron Nola (0-1, 6.75 ERA) (PHI) vs Jordan Montgomery (1-0, 1.59 ERA) (NY)
Game 2: Undecided (NY) vs Zack Wheeler (1-0, 1.29 ERA) (PHI)
How should you bet on Game 1?
For Game 1, the Yankees will actually be the “home” team and bat last, because this is a makeup of a game that had been originally scheduled for Yankee Stadium. Aaron Nola makes his second start of the season for Philadelphia, and he is looking for better results than his last outing. On July 24, he went 5 ⅓ innings against the Miami Marlins and gave up a home run among five hits, getting charged with four earned runs. He did strike out seven and walk just one.
Jordan Montgomery made his last start on July 31, going 5 ⅔ innings against Boston in a 5-1 Yankee win. He permitted just one run, on a solo shot, giving up five hits while striking out four and walking one. The Boston offense has been moribund so far in the 2020 season, but Philadelphia’s hasn’t been much better, and the Phillies hadn’t played a game since July 26 until Tuesday’s loss to the Yankees.
Final Prediction:
New York 4, Philadelphia 2 | Check the Odds
How should you bet on Game 2?
Zack Wheeler threw seven innings of one-run, five-hit ball against the Miami Marlins on July 25. He struck out four and walked two. The Yankees have yet to name a starter for the back end of the doubleheader. The Phillies and Yankees met on Monday at Yankee Stadium, with Gerrit Cole facing off against Jake Arrieta. Cole moved to 3-0 on the season, making it 19 straight wins in the regular season, as the Yankees won 6-3, and Zach Britton got the save for the Yankees. The Phillies are now 1-3, with their only win coming in Wheeler’s first start. However, the team had not played since July 26. This doubleheader will mark the start of a 56-game run in 54 days, assuming no more postponements happen. With Wheeler on the mound, they should be able to get things going the right way.
Final Prediction:
Philadelphia 5, New York 2 | Check the Odds
