I see value in a bet on the Phillies to cover the run line at +106 odds in Saturday's A.L.-N.L. battle with the Athletics.

Philadelphia enters this series with as much confidence as any team in the sport, having just completed a sweep of fellow National League title contender L.A. It scored 19 runs in three games against the Dodgers and has been tough to keep off the scoreboard at Citizens Bank Park this year (5.4 runs/game). Oakland SP Mitch Spence hasn't been reliable since moving into the starting rotation, either. He was solid in his first three outings but couldn't keep up the pace in June (5.40 ERA with a .306 opponent BA in five starts).

Fellow rookie starter Tyler Phillips captured the Philly crowd in his MLB debut and is backed by a bullpen ranked third in ERA and seventh in WHIP. He is a good bet to fan four or five hitters, as Oakland ranks 29th in strikeouts per game (9.7). The A's, who slash .217 BA/.288 OBP/.361 SLG/.649 OPS in road games, aren't likely to cover the spread tomorrow.