Nobody would’ve predicted the Philadelphia Phillies nor the San Diego Padres as NLCS contenders; let alone have both teams fight for the National League Championship title at that. And yet here we are, with the Phillies having eliminated the reigning World Series champions and the Padres upsetting the best team in baseball during the regular season to set up an unlikely yet captivating NLCS like no other.

Nitrobetting is ready to lend a hand to its bettors with their winning bets to be shot out of the park. This time, let’s take a closer look at the upcoming National League Championship Series showdown between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres.

2022 NLCS Series Preview: Phillies vs. Padres

READ MORE: Yankees vs. Astros 2022 ALCS Series Odds and Preview

What to Know About the Philadelphia Phillies

• Odds to Win 2022 NLCS Series: +102

Going 6-1 in the playoffs to reach the NLCS is no easy task, and yet the Philadelphia Phillies did just that in the MLB’s first expanded postseason. Philadelphia swept the St. Louis Cardinals in three games during the Wild Card round before taking down the reigning Atlanta Braves, in the NLDS, 3-1.

The Phillies are peaking at the right time, thanks in large part to former NL MVP Bryce Harper, who’s been the best hitter in the National League this postseason. Harper is tops in the playoffs in batting average (.435) and hits (10), whilst also being tied for the most home runs (three), and ranking second in RBIs with six runs sent home.

Philly’s pitching has also taken itself to a new level, ranking fourth in the postseason thus far with a .2.55 ERA and third with 58 strikeouts. The three-headed starting rotation of Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suarez makes for a frightening core that also has Noah Syndergaard rounding out the back end of the rotation.

What to Know About the San Diego Padres

• Odds to Win 2022 NLCS Series: -123

As amazing as Philly’s playoff run has been, perhaps the San Diego Padres have had an even more impressive journey on their way to the NLCS. Even without superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. for most of the year, San Diego swept the 101-win New York Mets in their NL Wild Card Series before eliminating the winningest regular-season team of 2022 in the Los Angeles Dodgers in four hard-fought NLDS games.

An offensive explosion propelled the Padres to success, as their .237 batting average ranks second this postseason thus far. They’ve racked up the most hits (56) and home runs (nine) in the 2022 MLB Playoffs as well, with All-Stars Manny Machado and Juan Soto both locked in. The team also got a huge boost from second-baseman Jake Cronenworth, who drove in a couple of game-changing runs in both the NLWC and the NLDS.

The Padres’ pitching is a decent match for that of Philadelphia’s, as San Diego’s 2.80 team ERA in the postseason is just right behind Philly’s mark. However, the Friars have the edge in terms of their relievers alone, which limited the Dodgers to just one run in 16 combined innings in the NLCS. A solid starting rotation made up of Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, and local hero Joe Musgrove is backed up by the stellar arm of closer Josh Hader, who’s the only closer this postseason with three saves thus far.

Phillies vs. Padres Betting Trends

• The Phillies are 6-3 in the last nine road games.
• The Phillies went 4-3 against San Diego this season.
• The totals went under in five of those seven Phillies vs. Padres meetings in 2022.
• The Padres are 5-2 in the last seven home games.
• The Padres are 6-3 in the last seven outings as favorites to win.
• The totals went over in five of the last seven games played in Petco Park.

Phillies vs. Padres 2022 NLCS Series Expert Betting Predictions

Considering how nobody had predicted this to be the 2022 NLCS matchup, one wouldn’t be faulted for tossing a coin to decide the winner of this series. The Padres do have the edge based on having the home-field advantage alone, but it’s also worth noting that the Phillies barely edged out San Diego head-to-head this season. We’re still siding with the Padres to take this series in the full seven-game distance but wouldn’t be surprised either if Philadelphia wins this series in fewer games as well.

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.