The streaking Washington Nationals are going for their fifth win in a row when they play host to the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. NBC Sports Philadelphia will televise the matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Washington (-240) is the enormous favorite against Philadelphia (+220) and Vegas has the Over/Under for this one at 9.5 runs (-115 for the under and -105 for the over). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds sitting at Phillies +1.5 runs (+100) and Nationals -1.5 runs (-120).
The Nationals are 89-69 straight up (SU) and 87-70 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 1.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 12.4 units ATS. On the other hand, the Phillies are 79-79 SU and have gone 75-82 ATS. Overall, the club has lost 7.1 units for moneyline bettors and 9.8 units ATS.
Nationals games have an over/under record of 73-75-9 in 2019. The Phillies have an over/under record of 74-78-5.
Jason Vargas will get the start for the visiting Phillies. The southpaw Vargas is 7-8 with a 4.40 ERA and 121 strikeouts. He has yet to face Washington this year, but he did make two starts against the Nationals in 2018, compiling a 1-0 record against them with a 1.54 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
The Nationals are putting the ball in the right hand of Stephen Strasburg (17-6, 3.37 ERA), who has 241 punchouts and 56 walks as well as a 1.05 WHIP. Strasburg is 1-0 with nine strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA over two starts against Philadelphia this year.
As a unit, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have an ERA of 3.52, a WHIP of 1.20 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.6. The bullpen has a 5.77 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 9.0 K/9. In 75 games against divisional opponents, Nationals starters have an ERA of 3.53 and the bullpen’s ERA is 6.21.
The Washington offense is putting up 5.3 runs per outing, including 5.5 per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .252/.362/.430 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Nationals’ offense has been led by Anthony Rendon, who is slashing .322/.410/.603 with 34 home runs, 124 RBIs and 115 runs scored.
In the visiting dugout, Philadelphia’s pitchers have allowed 4.9 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.38 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.53, along with a K-per-9 of 8.95.
Phillies hitters have slashed .245/.320/.426 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game this season, including 5.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (0-5 SU).
Cesar Hernandez has led Philadelphia’s hitters and is hitting .279/.333/.399 with 12 home runs, 69 RBIs and 72 runs scored.
The Nationals just took the previous game in this series by a final score of five runs to two.
Phillies vs. Nationals Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Phillies, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in three of Washington’s last seven games.
- Each team has swatted 12 home runs over its last 10 games.
- The Phillies have an OPS of .746 this season and an OPS of .733 against right-handed pitchers. The Nationals’ OPS sits at .794 overall and .782 against righties.
- Philadelphia has posted 17.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 13.8 over its last five.
- The Phillies have lost seven of their last eight games SU while the Nationals have taken six of their last seven.
