The Washington Nationals will be squaring off against their divisional rival Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will be showing the matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 6:05 p.m. ET.
Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Odds
Vegas has listed Washington (+105) as the underdog to Philadelphia (-115). Bettors can wager on the games total with odds listed at -120 for over 9 runs and even money (+100) for under 9. Runline odds sit at -200 for taking the Nationals +1.5 runs and +170 for the Phillies -1.5.
The Nationals have gone 42-38 SU this year and are 39-40 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 12.2 units for moneyline bettors and 3.3 units ATS. Washington is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Phillies, on the other hand, are 43-37 SU and 34-45 ATS. The teams gained 7.5 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 18.0 units ATS. Philadelphia has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven outings and the under has cashed in five of those seven.
Philadelphia games have a 36-39-4 over/under record so far in 2018. Washington has been a good under bet with a total record of 31-46-2.
Jeremy Hellickson will get the nod for Washington. The right-handed Hellickson is 2-0 with a 2.28 ERA and 34 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Phillies this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Phillies are going with righty Vince Velasquez (5-8, 4.69 ERA), who’s got 104 strikeouts and 33 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.27. Velasquez is 1-0 with four strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA in one start against Washington this year.
Washington’s pitching staff allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.56 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 9.56 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.91, along with a K/9 of 8.87.
Nationals hitters have slashed .240/.320/.400 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.6 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Washington’s offensive production has been sparked by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon. The speedy Turner is slashing .270/.353/.411 with nine home runs, 29 RBIs, 47 runs and 22 steals, while Rendon is hitting .289 with 10 homers, 34 RBIs and 33 runs scored.
For the home team, Philadelphia’s pitching staff has allowed 4.3 runs per game overall in 2018. The clubs starters have a 3.84 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.42 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 9.6 K/9. In 30 games against NL East foes, Phillies starters have an ERA of 3.73 and the bullpens ERA is 4.88.
Philadelphia’s hitters are putting up 4.4 runs per contest, including 4.3 per game against divisional foes and 3.2 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .229/.309/.401 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Outfielder Odubel Herrera and second baseman Cesar Hernandez have led the Phillies batters this year. Herrera is slashing .286/.341/.474 with 13 home runs, 45 RBIs and 41 runs scored, and Hernandez line is .271/.380/.395 with eight homers, 27 RBIs, 57 runs and 12 stolen bases.
The Nationals have gained 2.5 units and are 30-25 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 22 of those games, as opposed to 32 that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Phillies have netted 7.6 units and are 26-33 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 26 of those games, compared to 30 that’ve gone under.
Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Phillies, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has cashed in only two of Philadelphia’s last seven games.
- Philadelphia has recorded 22.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 17.6 over its last five.
- The Nationals have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
