The Philadelphia Phillies will play their division rival Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will broadcast the action.
Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Philadelphia (+165) as the underdog to Washington (-175). The total is sitting at 7 runs and gamblers can take the over for -125 and the under for +105. Bettors can also wager on the games runline with the odds sitting at -135 for the Phillies +1.5 runs and +115 for the Nationals -1.5.
The Nationals are 17-17 SU and 17-16 ATS. The team has lost 5.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 1.8 units against the spread (ATS). The Phillies are 18-14 SU and have gone 11-20 ATS. Overall, the teams gained 1.1 units for moneyline bettors in the seasons early going, but have lost 12.7 units ATS.
Nationals games have a 15-16-2 over/under record thus far in 2018. The Phillies have an over/under record of 15-13-3.
The right-handed Jake Arrieta is getting the start for the visiting Phillies. Arrieta is 3-1 with a 3.49 ERA and 20 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Nationals this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-1, 11.25 ERA and four strikeouts across four innings).
The Nationals are handing the ball to righty Max Scherzer (6-1, 1.79 ERA), who has 65 strikeouts and 11 walks, as well as a WHIP of 0.82. Scherzer made three starts against the Phillies in 2017, putting together a spotless 2-0 record with a 4.34 ERA and 22 strikeouts.
Philadelphia’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 4.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 8.03 K/9. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.94, along with a WHIP of 1.25 and a K/9 of 9.05.
Phillies hitters have slashed .234/.326/.378 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game this season, including 4.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.4 per game over the teams last five contests (2-3 SU).
Left fielder Rhys Hoskins and second baseman Cesar Hernandez have led Philadelphia’s hitters. Hoskins is hitting .286/.437/.514 with five home runs, 22 RBIs and 18 runs scored, while Hernandez has a .282 average with three homers, 11 RBIs, 22 runs and five stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Washington’s pitching staff has allowed 4.0 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have a 3.25 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.54 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.6 K/9. In 14 divisional games, Nationals starters have an ERA of 3.70 and the bullpens ERA is 5.83.
The Washington hitters have put up 4.6 runs per contest, including 4.2 per game against divisional foes and 6.4 per game over their last five. The team has hit .245/.348/.503 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Nationals offense has been led by Bryce Harper and Matt Adams. Harper is slashing .255/.438/.600 with 12 home runs, 28 RBIs and 29 runs scored, while the line for Adams stands at .284/.407/.642 with seven homers, 17 RBIs and 14 runs.
The Phillies have lost 1.1 units and are 7-16 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 10 of those games, compared to 11 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Nationals have netted 2.1 units and are 12-10 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 12 of those games, as opposed to nine that’ve cashed the under.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Phillies, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in four of Philadelphia’s last seven games.
- The Philadelphia defense has allowed zero errors over its last five games, compared to three errors for Washington over its last five.
- The Phillies have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
