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The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies close down a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, so we’ve prepared the best odds and betting pick for this National League showdown set for Thursday, August 12, with the first pitch at 1:05 PM ET.&nbsp;&nbsp;



These two foes also wrap up their regular-season series, as Los Angeles outlasted Philadelphia in a three-game set at Dodger Stadium back in June, 2-1. The Dodgers won the opener at Citizens Bank Park last Tuesday, 5-0, playing as -141 favorites, and the reigning champs are firm favorites for the closer, according to <a href="https://www.bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/mybookie/">MyBookie Sportsbook</a> (the middle contest has been excluded from the analysis).



<h2>The Dodgers are hitting well in August</h2>



The Los Angeles Dodgers improved to 68-45 on the season following that blanking of the Phillies, recording their fifth win in seven outings this month. The Boys in Blue have scored 41 runs through that seven-game span, posting an excellent .282/.359/.484 batting line.



On the other side of the ball, the Dodgers own the lowest ERA in the majors in August (2.11). They’ve allowed a .206 batting average against, while the Dodgers bullpen has recorded a 2.39 ERA and 2.75 FIP so far this month.



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Julio Urias was expected to start Thursday at Citizens Bank Park, but he’s moved to Friday’s clash against the Mets. The Dodgers will have a bullpen day, as well as their rivals.



<h2>The Phillies hope to get back on the winning path</h2>



The Philadelphia Phillies put an end to their eight-game winning streak with that scoreless performance against the reigning champs on Tuesday. They dropped to 59-54 on the season, still topping the NL East, one game ahead of the Atlanta Braves.



The Phillies have recorded a solid 3.67 ERA and 1.12 WHIP through nine outings in August. They’ve scored 55 runs in the process while slashing .279/.338/.516, and the Phillies have smacked 16 homers and 22 doubles so far this month.



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Ranger Suarez will get the starting call Thursday, as the Phillies bullpen takes over in this one. The 25-year-old southpaw is 5-3 with a microscopic 0.98 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in a couple of starts and 27 relief appearances in 2021.



Suarez hasn’t allowed a single run over his previous six outings and nine innings of work. Last week, he fanned four and yielded three free passes in 2.2 frames of work against the New York Mets at home.



Trends:



LA Dodgers:



<ul><li>6-2 in the last eight games overall</li><li>13-7 in the last nine games against the NL East</li></ul>



Philadelphia:



<ul><li>3-8 in the last 11 games against the Dodgers</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-los-angeles-dodgers-vs-philadelphia-phillies-pick">Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies Pick</h2>



The Phillies ‘pen has registered a 4.86 ERA and a terrible 6.17 FIP so far this month, so I’m backing the Dodgers to win. Both teams have been terrific at the plate as of late, while the Dodgers have an obvious advantage on the mound.



The hosts stand a chance, of course, but I don’t think they have enough firepower in their bullpen to deal with the surging Dodgers. Los Angeles has dominated Philadelphia over the last few years, and I expect that betting trend to continue Thursday at Citizens Bank Park.



Pick: Take Los Angeles Dodgers at -



The Total:



With both teams swinging a hot bat at the moment, I’m going with the over on the totals. The Phillies are hitting well against the lefties (.758 OPS this season) and should score a few runs, but I’m expecting the Dodgers to torture the hosts’ pitching staff all day long.



The over is 6-2 in the last eight encounters between the Dodgers and Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Also, four of the Dodgers’ last six games on the road went in the over.



Pick: Go over 9.5 runs at -110

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies Odds, Pick, Prediction 8/12/21

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies Odds, Pick, Prediction 8/12/21

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