Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction, 4/18/2026 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Location: Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Odds/Point Spread: Atlanta (-145) Philadelphia (+125)

Citizens Bank Park is the site where the Philadelphia Phillies (8-10) will take on the Atlanta Braves (12-7) on Saturday. The line on this contest has the Braves at -145 while the Phillies are priced at +125. The total has been set at 8. The men taking the mound are Chris Sale and Cristopher Sanchez.

As a team, the Atlanta Braves are earning 5.6 runs per contest, which has them sitting at 3rd in the league. They have accumulated 106 runs while holding a team on-base percentage of .341. The Braves have accrued 37 two-baggers as a squad and have hit 24 balls out of the park. They have amassed 103 RBI's and 180 base knocks over the course of the season, while their batting average comes in at .276. Atlanta has a slugging % of .449 and have been called out on strikes 142 times, while taking a walk on 62 occasions.

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The Braves have compiled a team ERA of 2.93 this year (1st in the league), and the staff has rung up 155 batters. Braves pitchers have allowed 15 home runs and also 62 total runs (2nd in the league). Their pitching staff has walked 54 opposing hitters and their FIP is 3.59 as a unit so far this season. Atlanta has given up 132 base hits (7.0 per 9 innings) and also 55 earned runs. They have earned a strikeout to walk ratio of 2.87 and their pitching staff has a team WHIP of 1.10.

The Braves relief pitchers have earned a save percentage of 100.0% and stepped onto the hill in 15 save situations. They have recorded 6 saves so far this season and have blown 0 of their 6 chances to get a save. The relief pitchers have inherited 21 runners so far this season with 23.8% of them ended up scoring. Braves relief pitchers have gone to the mound with runners on 14 times in addition to having 15 appearances in high leverage situations. The Braves have sent 60 relief pitchers to the hill for the year. The relievers have recorded 9 holds this season (20th in MLB).

The Athletics have earned a total of 507 putouts at this point in the season, in addition to 165 assists and 9 errors. Their fielding rate is holding at .987 which has them ranked 15th in pro baseball, and have a total of 22 double plays. The Braves have turned 72.6% of baseballs in play into outs out of 1,521 innings, which has them sitting at 3rd in the majors.

Sale has taken the mound for 2,106 frames and has accumulated 2,601 strikeouts in his pro baseball career. His ERA is 3.01 (705 ER's allowed) and his career WHIP is 1.046. He has surrendered 1,709 hits (7.3 hits per nine innings) and has had 493 walks. Sale (148-89 career win-loss mark) has a FIP of 2.97 while facing 8,478 hitters in the majors.

The Philadelphia Phillies hold an OBP of .309 as well as a batting average of .229 this year. They have been called out on strikes on 157 instances (19th in the league) and have totaled 139 hits. Philadelphia has a total of 20 home runs this year and 71 runs batted in. The Phillies hold a team slugging % of .381 and they earn 4.00 runs per contest (21st in the league). They have hit 30 two-baggers, while getting a free base 59 times as well as scoring 72 runs.

The Philadelphia pitching staff have given up 97 runs so far this season and come in with a team ERA of 4.92 (88 earned runs surrendered). They have yielded 15 homers and they relinquish 5.42 runs per 9 innings (27th in the league). The Phillies hold a team WHIP of 1.385 and are the owners of a FIP of 3.07 as a team over the course of the season. They have earned a K/BB ratio of 10.20 (183 strikeouts against 47 free passes). They rank 29th in baseball as a staff in total hits allowed with 176.

Sitting with 16 save situations, the Phillies have accumulated 10 holds and also 1 blown save. Philadelphia has called on bullpen pitchers to take the mound in 6 save chances and they have earned 5 saves. Philadelphia relievers hold an inherited score rate of 45.0% out of 20 inherited base runners. Their relief pitchers have stepped onto the mound 14 times in high leverage situations and also on 16 occasions with runners on. They are ranked 4th in the league with a save rate of 83.3%, and they have dispatched 65 relievers to the mound for the year.

In 1,449 innings on the field, the Phillies have a defensive efficiency of 62.2% (30th in professional baseball). The Philadelphia Phillies have gotten 12 double plays and hold a fielding percentage of .979 (26th in professional baseball). The Phillies have 171 assists, 14 errors and have earned 483 putouts on the campaign.

During his career, Sanchez has conceded 519 base hits and he has 540 strikeouts in 557 innings. Sanchez (32-22 win-loss record in his career) is the owner of a 3.20 earned run average while allowing 8.4 hits per 9 innings. He has allowed a total of 198 earned runs while earning a WHIP of 1.174 and a FIP of 3.1. He has a strikeout to walk ratio of 4.00 and he has gone up against 2,288 hitters in his pro baseball career.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Philadelphia (+125)

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