Ala Hann Sport picks

According to World Series odds, Philadelphia was always one of the favorites to get back to the Fall Classic after winning it all last year. On Wednesday, they’ll have a chance to begin their quest for a repeat as last year’s World Series MVP heads to the mound to go for his second NLCS win against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Dodgers vs Phillies odds – Wednesday, October 21, 8:07 PM ET

Vicente Padilla (1-0, 0.63) is the hot hand in the Dodgers’ dugout, and he returns to Philadelphia, where he spent almost six years with the Phillies. He has lots of experience at Citizens Bank Park, where he’s 10-11 in 26 starts with a 4.98 ERA. The 32-year-old hurler was an afterthought when it comes to late-season pickups, but he could prove to be the most valuable, especially since young Los Angeles stars Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley have struggled in the second half of the year. But let’s be real: if someone told you that the Dodgers were getting Vicente Padilla, would you run out to put them in your World Series picks?

Cole Hamels (1-1, 6.97) won Game 1 of the NCLS for the Phillies even though he still isn’t pitching up to his normal standards. It’s been a strange year for the 2008 World Series MVP, and it may have something to do with off-field distractions. Hamels’ wife has been pregnant all season, and he immediately left his loss to Colorado in the NLDS to be with her as she gave birth to his son. He pitched better in Game 1 than he did in the NLDS despite giving up two homers, and this could be his breakout performance.

The Phillies are a -148 favorite in your sportsbook, and the Dodgers missed a golden chance to tie the series in Game 4 before Jimmy Rollins’ two-run double in the bottom of the ninth off of Jonathan Broxton. The Dodgers may have spent all of their bullets already, as the Phillies’ mix of hitting and pitching seems to be wearing them down. Padilla has had two great starts, but I couldn’t bet on him making it two in a row, given his past. Meanwhile, we know Hamels can do it, he just needs to put it all together, and Wednesday looks like the night he’ll do it. Go with the Phillies as your online sports betting pick.