Braves vs Phillies Prediction 4/18/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Braves vs Phillies prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, April 18th at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Atlanta Braves Betting Preview

The Atlanta Braves are 13-7 this season after they won game one by a score of 9-0 on Friday night. Atlanta jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and they never looked back in the blowout win. The Braves recorded 12 hits in the game and they were led by Riley, who went 2-5 with two home runs and four RBIs. Perez allowed four hits and zero earned runs over 6.0 innings for the win, while Suarez picked up the three inning save. Prior to this series, Atlanta won two out of three against the Marlins and two out of three against the Guardians. 

This season, Atlanta has a 2.78 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP and a .214 opponent batting average, while they have scored 115 runs with a .278 batting average and a .344 on base percentage. Drake Baldwin has led the Braves with five home runs and 19 RBIs, while Matt Olson has added five home runs and 15 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Atlanta is Chris Sale, who is 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP over 22.0 innings pitched this season. 

Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies are 8-11 this year after they lost game one by a score of 9-0 to open this series. Philadelphia allowed seven runs in the first three innings and never had a chance in the ugly loss. The Phillies recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Harper, who went 3-4. Walker allowed seven hits and seven earned runs over 4.0 innings for the loss, while Shugart allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to this series, Philadelphia lost two out of three against the Cubs and two out of three against the Diamondbacks. 

This season, Philadelphia has a 5.14 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP and a .278 opponent batting average, while they have scored 72 runs with a .227 batting average and a .308 on base percentage. Kyle Schwarber has led the Phillies with six home runs and 12 RBIs, while Bryce Harper has added four home runs and 11 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Philadelphia is Cristopher Sanchez, who is 2-1 with a 2.01 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP over 22.1 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Philadelphia Phillies will win

• The Phillies have won eight of their last nine games against the Braves following a loss.
• The Braves have lost each of their last four games at Citizens Bank Park following a road win.
• The Phillies have covered the run line in five of their last six night games against the Braves following a loss.
• The Braves have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games as road underdogs against NL East opponents following a win.
• The Phillies have led after 5 innings in 10 of their last 13 night games against NL East opponents.

Why the Atlanta Braves will win

• The Braves have won each of their last six road games against NL East opponents.
• The Phillies have lost six of their last eight games as favorites against National League opponents.
• The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last 13 road games following a win.
• The Phillies have failed to cover the run line each of their last seven home games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Phillies have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four home games against opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the Braves’ last nine night games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the last four games between the Braves and Phillies at Citizens Bank Park have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last five road games.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the last 12 games between the Braves and Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Philadelphia Phillies Player Prop Facts

• Kyle Schwarber has hit at least one home run in three of the Phillies’ last six games as home favorites against NL East opponents.
• Trea Turner has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against NL East opponents.
• Kyle Schwarber ranks T7th in the league in Home Runs (6) this season.

Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts

• Austin Riley has hit at least one home run in each of his last two road appearances against the Phillies.
• Chris Sale has recorded eight or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight road appearances.
• Mauricio Dubon has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 appearances with his team as an underdog against NL East opponents.
• Chris Sale has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Chris Sale ranks T4th in the league for Wins (3) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Phillies rank 29th in the league for hits allowed this season (188).
• The Phillies rank 28th in the league for ERA this season (5.14).
• The Braves rank 1st in the league for RBIs this season (112).
• The Braves rank 1st in the league for ERA this season (2.78).

Braves vs Phillies Prediction 

Philadelphia comes into this matchup on a three game losing streak and they continue to allow a ton of runs, as they have allowed 37 runs in their last four games. The Phillies are 5-8 at home this year, while the Braves are 5-3 on the road. Atlanta has won three in a row and they have scored 6+ in four of their last five. This should be a great pitching matchup between Sale and Sanchez, but I don’t trust the Phillies to get consistent outs right now. Take the over in this one.

David Racey's Pick: Over 7