If you’re making a World Series bet on Cole Hamels, it would be nice to know that the Phillies’ lefty could be counted on, because he certainly hasn’t been dependable in these playoffs. Hamels takes on Andy Pettitte in Saturday’s Game 3, and the winner gets a 2-1 lead in the Fall Classic.
Yankees vs Phillies odds – Saturday, October 31, 7:57 PM ET
Pettitte (2-0, 2.37) is 2-2 in seven career starts against the Phillies, posting 3.67 ERA, but he’s 1-0 in two starts in Philadelphia with a 0.75 ERA. He took a no-decision in a 5-4 New York win at home on May 23rd and he was up and down during his seven innings of work, allowing four runs on five hits (including two homers) with five strikeouts and a pair of walks.
Hamels (1-1, 6.75) needs to get it together, as he was taken out after 4.1 innings of a 10-4 win over the Dodgers to clinch the ALCS. He held his own on May 24th in New York when he squared off with the Yankees’ C.C. Sabathia to take a no-decision in a 4-3 extra-innings win, scattering a pair of runs on eight hits over six innings with five strikeouts. That was only his second start against the Yankees in his career, and he’s now 0-1 with a decent 2.77 ERA.
The Yankees are -123 favorites in your sportsbook on Saturday, and after splitting the first two in New York, this game takes on more importance as no one wants to be down 2-1. Hamels needs to find his form from last year’s Fall Classic as he was the MVP of the Phillies’ run. However, he’s struggled all season, while Pettitte keeps rolling at 37 years old.
World Series betting pick: New York -123