The Atlanta Braves are firmly entrenched in the National League Wildcard spot. If they want any shot at the NL East crown, however, they need a strong showing at Philadelphia this week. <\/p>\n
MLB Betting \u2013 Braves vs Phillies Preview & Pick<\/strong> Atlanta Braves (82-57 through September 4)<\/strong> Pitchers don\u2019t come much more consistent or underrated than Tim Hudson, who takes the hill for the Braves on Tuesday. He has nine quality starts in his last 10 tries and will attempt to hit the 15-win mark for the seventh time in his career on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Hudson has handled the Phillies well this season, going unbeaten and posting a 2.45 ERA over two starts. But those outings came at Turner Field. When visiting the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in his career, Hudson has one win in five starts with a 3.98 ERA.<\/p>\n Keeping the ball in the park against Ryan Howard has also been a real bugaboo for Hudson. Howard is 14 for 47 off him (.298) with six homers and 13 RBI all-time.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Phillies (88-48 through September 4)<\/strong> You know your pitching staff is among the greatest ever assembled in Major League Baseball when your fifth friggin\u2019 starter is 10-1 with a 2.85 ERA. Simply amazing. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Is Vance Worley coming back to Earth? He had a 2.20 ERA before the All-Star break and his number since is 3.42. But he\u2019s still 6-0 over nine starts since the break. A closer look suggests the record is deserved. His strikeout rate is up and his walk rate is down \u2013 so he\u2019s actually been \u201cunlucky\u201d on some levels.<\/p>\n Worley has thrown six scoreless innings against the Braves in his career \u2013 five as a starter, one as a reliever.<\/p>\n ATL are 7-3 in their last 10 road games. It\u2019s tough to choose between two outstanding teams but the trends favor the Phillies. Hudson has trouble winning at Citizens Bank Park and Howard has his number. Worley is unbeatable these days and it only helps that the Braves have such a small sample of at-bats against him. Look for the Phils to widen their NL East lead on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Tuesday, September 6, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>FSS, CSN
\nAtlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies Betting Lines from BetOnline.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Phillies -122<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 7.5<\/strong>
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\nTim Hudson (14-8, 3.05)<\/p>\n
\nVance Worley (10-1, 2.85)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nATL are 7-3 in their last 10 Tue. games.
\nUnder is 7-1 in Hudsons last 8 on grass.
\nPHI are 10-1 in their last 11 Tue. games.
\nOver is 7-1-1 in PHI last 9 games following a win.
\nOver is 8-2 in PHI last 10 on grass.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n