SPORTS ADVISORS
Tampa Bay (72-66) at N.Y. Yankees (89-50)
The Rays, whose wild-card hopes are fading fast, send rookie David Price (7-7, 4.75 ERA) to the hill opposite Chad Gaudin (5-10, 4.98 overall; 1-0, 4.08 with New York) as these A.L. East rivals continue a four-game series in the Bronx.
New York swept a day-night doubleheader from Tampa Bay on Monday, winning 4-1 and 11-1. The Yankees have won 10 of their last 12, allowing three runs or fewer in seven of those contests. They’re on additional surges of 51-18 overall, 41-13 at home, 25-6 against divisional foes, 13-4 against teams with a winning record, 4-1 on Tuesday, 36-15 versus southpaw starters and 42-17 as a favorite.
The Rays have now dropped six in a row, tallying three runs or less four times, and they’re just 3-11 in their last 14 contests, a slump that has all but ended their hopes of a return trip to the postseason. Tampa Bay is also in ruts of 0-5 against right-handed starters and 10-28 in the third game of a series.
New York has won six of the last seven meetings against Tampa Bay this year and is 57-24 in the last 81 series clashes in the Bronx. The visitor is 7-5 in the last 12 battles.
Price is coming off Thursday’s 6-3 home loss to Boston, yielding four runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. The lefty has still surrendered three earned runs or fewer in five of his last seven starts, including his first road win of the season at Detroit on Aug. 29 when he scattered five hits and a run over 7 1/3 innings of a 3-1 victory. Still, Price is just 1-4 with a 6.81 ERA in eight road starts.
The Rays have alternated wins and losses in Price’s last five trips to the mound, but they’re 6-1 in his last seven starts against the A.L. East. Also, in his first career start against the Yankees on June 6 in New York, he gave up three runs (one earned) on two hits and five walks over 5 2/3 innings, getting a no-decision in Tampa Bay’s 9-7 win.
Gaudin started the season with the Padres and went 4-10 with a 5.13 ERA in 20 games (19 starters) before being traded to the Yankees. He’s made two starts since arriving in New York, giving up a total of three runs, five hits and eight walks in eight innings, with the Yanks winning both games on the road (3-2 at Oakland and 10-5 at Toronto). Gaudin faced the Rays twice in 2007, going 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA.
For Tampa Bay, the “under” is on runs of 5-2 on the road, 7-3 as an underdog, 7-2 on Tuesday, 35-17-4 against right-handed starters and 4-0-1 with Price on the hill. Meanwhile, New York is on “over” stretches of 6-2 overall (all against divisional opponents), 7-2 against winning teams, 4-0 on Tuesday and 4-1 against southpaw starters, but the under is 16-8-1 in the Yankees’ last 25 games in the Bronx.
Finally, the under is 5-2 in the last six battles between these rivals and 10-5 in the last 15 clashes in New York.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. YANKEES and UNDER
Seattle (72-66) at L.A. Angels (81-54)
The Mariners continue a seven-game, three-city A.L. West road trip when they open a three-game set against the Angels. Scott Kazmir (8-8, 5.68 ERA) will make his home debut for Los Angeles when he matches up against Seattle ace Felix Hernandez (14-5, 2.65) for the second time in five days.
Seattle had Monday off after splitting a four-game series in Oakland, winning the first two games 7-4 and 6-3 before losing the last two 9-5 and 5-2, with the defeats ending a four-game winning streak. The Mariners are 7-3 in their last 10 against A.L. West foes, but otherwise they’re in funks of 19-40 as an underdog, 1-5 after an off day and 1-6 on the highway versus southpaw starters.
The Angels took the first three games of a weekend series at Kansas City before falling 6-3 on Sunday. Prior to the defeat, L.A. had won five of seven, while giving up a total of just 10 runs. However, the Angels’ once-red-hot offense has been held to three runs or fewer in five of its last six games. Mike Scioscia’s club is still on runs of 52-25 overall and 18-8 in series openers.
These rivals met last week in Seattle with the Mariners taking two of three, capped by Wednesday’s 3-0 victory in which Hernandez (eight scoreless innings, four hits allowed) outdueled Kazmir (two runs, one earned, and three hits allowed in 6 1/3 innings). Seattle holds a 9-7 edge in the season series, but is just 9-20 in its last 29 games at Angel Stadium.
With Wednesday’s dominating outing against Los Angeles, Hernandez has now delivered 18 quality starts in his last 19 trips to the mound, including the last seven in a row. Also, in half of his 28 starts, the big right-hander has given up one or zero earned runs.
With Hernandez on the mound, the Mariners are on a slew of positive runs, including 20-8 overall, 8-2 on the road, 5-1 as an underdog, 4-0 against division rivals and 9-1 versus winning teams. He’s 8-2 with a 2.06 ERA in 15 road starts this year and 4-5 with a 4.40 ERA in 15 career starts against the Angels, but in his last two against L.A., he gave up just one unearned run on 10 hits in 14 2/3 innings, with Seattle adding a 4-3 win in Anaheim on May 30 to his 3-0 home victory Wednesday.
Despite losing, Kazmir pitched well in his Angels debut and has now delivered four straight quality starts going back to his time with Tampa Bay, posting a 2.77 ERA with 29 strikeouts against just seven walks in 26 innings. The hard-throwing left-hander has made just one previous career start at Angel Stadium – in June of last season with Tampa Bay – allowing three runs on six hits while striking out 10 in 6 2/3 innings, but he lost, 4-2.
With Wednesday’s 3-0 setback, Kazmir is now 3-2 with a solid 2.93 ERA in seven career starts against the Mariners. He has a 35-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his last five outings versus Seattle.
Behind their ace, the Mariners are on “under” streaks of 12-5-1 overall, 36-16-2 on the road and 28-13-1 as an underdog. However, the over is 8-3 in King Felix’s last 11 starts versus the Halos. Also, the under is 6-3 in Kazmir’s last nine starts (3-0 last three) and 4-1 in his last five outings against Seattle.
The under is 18-6 in Seattle’s last 24 games versus the A.L. West and 4-1-1 in its last six on Tuesday, but the over is 7-3-1 in the M’s last 11 road games, 4-1-1 in their last six after an off day and 8-1-1 in their last 10 series openers. Meanwhile, the Angels have stayed under the number in five straight games overall and four straight on Tuesday, but the over is 20-8 in their last 28 at home, 9-3-1 in their last 13 series openers and 35-16-4 in their last 54 when favored.
Lastly, the under is 6-2 in the last eight Mariners-Angels battles.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. ANGELS
DUNKEL
LA Dodgers at Arizona
The Diamondbacks look to take advantage of an LA team that is 1-4 in Chad Billingsley's last 5 starts as a favorite. Arizona is the pick (+185) according to Dunkel, which has the Diamondbacks favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+185)
Game 901-902: Philadelphia at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Martinez) 14.301; Washington (Lannan) 13.458
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-145); Over
Game 903-904: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Dempster) 14.522; Pittsburgh (Duke) 13.709
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-110); Over
Game 905-906: Florida at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (VandenHurk) 15.887; NY Mets (Redding) 14.885
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Florida (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-110); Over
Game 907-908: Atlanta at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Vazquez) 14.462; Houston (Paulino) 14.931
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+135); Over
Game 909-910: St. Louis at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Smoltz) 15.811; Milwaukee (Parra) 15.047
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-130); Under
Game 911-912: Cincinnati at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Maloney) 15.682; Colorado (Marquis) 16.931
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Colorado (-245); 10
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-245); Over
Game 913-914: LA Dodgers at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Billingsley) 15.264; Arizona (Buckner) 15.377
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-205); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+185); Over
Game 915-916: San Diego at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Correia) 15.023; San Francisco (Lincecum) 16.304
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-270); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-270); Under
Game 917-918: Texas at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (McCarthy) 15.342; Cleveland (Laffey) 14.750
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+100); Over
Game 919-920: Tampa Bay at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Price) 15.881; NY Yankees (Gaudin) 15.408
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-145); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+135); Under
Game 921-922: Minnesota at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Duensing) 15.561; Toronto (Romero) 14.980
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Toronto (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+100); Over
Game 923-924: Baltimore at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Hernandez) 15.942; Boston (Buchholz) 15.405
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-225); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+205); Under
Game 925-926: Detroit at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Porcello); 14.793; Kansas City (Chen) 15.370
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Detroit (-175); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+165); Over
Game 927-928: Oakland at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Tomko) 15.716; White Sox (Torres) 16.257
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-140); Under
Game 929-930: Seattle at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 15.960; LA Angels (Kazmir) 14.946
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 7
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+120); Under
Game 931-932: Texas at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Hunter) 16.094; Cleveland (Carrasco) 14.976
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 10
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
WNBA
San Antonio at Los Angeles
The Sparks look to take advantage of a San Antonio team that is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 road games. Los Angeles is the pick (-5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Sparks favored by 7 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-5 1/2)
Game 601-602: Indiana at New York
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 110.027; New York 112.191
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 2; 137 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 2 1/2; 141 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (+2 1/2); Under
Game 603-604: San Antonio at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 109.162; Los Angeles 116.484
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 7 1/2; 142
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 5 1/2; 148 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-5 1/2); Under
Bobby Maxwell
Tampa Bay at N.Y. YANKEES -140
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Tonight's FREE play winner comes to you from New York as I go with the Yankees to continue rolling and easily take care of the Rays.
How done are the Rays? They just got their asses kicked in a doubleheader against the Yankees on Monday, getting outscored 15-2. This team has packed it in and is playing this final month of the season with no emotion.
Meanwhile the Yankees are looking to leave no doubt they are the best team in baseball and streaking toward the finish line and the playoffs.
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Chad Gaudin is making his third start in a Yankees' uniform and they've won his first two, an Aug. 19 start in Oakland and a Sept. 3 start in Toronto. He's no stranger to the Rays, facing them twice in 2007, including an August start that year when he allowed just one run in seven innings of a 12-2 win for the A's as he struck out 10 and walked just two.
Rays' starter David Price (7-7, 4.75 ERA) is just 1-4 when he pitches on the road with a 6.81 ERA. The youngster has good stuff, but he gets a little ahead of himself when he pitches on the road. He gave up four runs in 5.1 innings at home to the Red Sox on Thursday in a 6-3 loss.
New York has not been a fun place for the Rays as they are just 24-57 in their last 81 trips to the Big Apple. The Yankees are on a bunch of hot streaks, including 51-18 overall and 41-13 at home.
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Love the Yanks tonight. Lay the chalk and play New York.
4♦ N.Y. YANKEES
Dominic Fazzini
Texas -135 over CLEVELAND (Game 1)
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Rain washed this play out Monday, but I'm sticking with it as it now becomes Game 1 of today's doubleheader.
Rangers starter Tommy Hunter (7-3, 3.14 ERA) has been solid all season, and he had his best outing of the season at Cleveland on Aug. 12, allowing six hits in 7 2/3 scoreless innings.
The rookie right-hander has pitched like a veteran on the road, going 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in five starts away from Arlington this year. He is also 7-2 with a 2.90 ERA on grass this season.
Indians starter Carlos Carrasco (0-1, 18.00) was rocked early and often in his first major league outing last Tuesday at Detroit, allowing six runs and nine hits in three innings, including four runs and six hits in the first.
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The rookie right-hander, who was acquired from Philadelphia on July 27 in the Cliff Lee trade, might fare better today, but I don't expect him to better Hunter, even with Michael Young and Josh Hamilton out of the Texas lineup.
Here's something to think about with this game now becoming the first game of a doubleheader: Texas has swept both twinbills it has played this year, and is 13-4-6 in doubleheaders over the past 15 years. That just backs up my play from Monday. Take the Rangers in Game 1 today.
3♦ TEXAS (GAME 1)
Stephen Nover
Texas at CLEVELAND, Game 1
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Tommy Hunter is having an excellent season for Texas. He's 7-3 with a 3.14 ERA. He's been at his best on the road with a 2-1 mark and 2.20 ERA.
The Indians are averaging three runs per game in their last seven games. They have lost Grady Sizemore for the season.
I'm expecting Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco to pitch much better in his second big league start than he did in his debut on Tuesday at Detroit when the Tigers smacked him around. Carrasco was a good prospect for the Phillies. He was dealt to the Indians as part of the Cliff Lee deal.
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Carrasco should be more relaxed in his second outing, especially pitching at home. Carrasco was overpumped for his debut and wasn't locating his fastball well. But he did display potential with his slider and changeup. He has a hot closer to back him up. Kerry Wood has a 2.45 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings since the All-Star break.
The Rangers haven't scored in their last 15 innings. They are missing All-Stars Michael Young (hamstring) and Josh Hamilton (back).
Texas has been a big under team all season. The under has cashed 20 of the past 28 times the Rangers have been favored. The under also is 37-15-2 in Texas' last 54 road contests.
Carrasco is a right-hander. Texas is 42-19-4 to the under in its last 65 games versus a right-handed starter.
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There are also strong under trends for Cleveland. The Indians are 21-7-1 to the under in their last 29 home games. The under has cashed seven of the past eight times Cleveland has been a home underdog.
1♦ UNDER (HUNTER/CARRASCO)
Vernon Croy
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Minnesota Twins vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Play: Toronto Blue Jays
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This pick falls into one of my top MLB systems and I look for Ricky Romero (11-7, 4.15 ERA) to have a solid start against the Twins who are just 2-8 in their last 10 games against a left hand starter. Romero pitched well in his only start against the Twins this season which was at the Metrodome where he allowed 8 hits and just 2 earned runs over 8 innings. The Twins are just 14-38 in their last 52 road games when facing a lefty starter and the Blue Jays are 9-4 in Romero's last 13 starts with just 4 days rest. The Jays are 36-17 in their last 53 games against an AL Central division opponent and the Twins are just 1-7 in their last 8 games played at Rogers Center. Take the Toronto Blue Jays as my MLB Free Play for Tuesday night.
Frank Jordan
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Florida Marlins vs. New York Mets
Play: Florida Marlins
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Rich VanderHurk has pitched well since being brought up in late July and in 5 of his 7 starts has allowed 2 or fewer runs. The Mets have had the Marlins end their season late in September and as the Mets try to return the favor and put the final nail in the coffin of the Marlins it seems like they just don't have the players to do so. Look for another quality start from VanderHurk as the Marlins win again in New York. Play Florida
Craig Trapp
Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals
Play: Detroit Tigers
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Get in early as this line is surely to end up over 170. Play a small R/L wager and double on M/L for today.
DET has been nails lately winning 6 in a row which included a weekend sweep of TB on the road. Also today they have there young stud Rookie Porcello on the mound. He has seemed to catch his second win as he has been great his last two outtings both wins. He has split his games against KC this season going 12 innings and only allowing 6 runs. This should be enough today as DET's lineup has been playing very well putting up very strong numbers.
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KC on the other hand has been horrible since the break. Recently they have lost 7 of last 10 and have not won back to back games since late July and are an even worse 5-20 at home since the All-Star break. Today they turn to Chen to try and turn there hopes around. He is coming off his only win of the season and first since 2005. This year he is a dismal 1-6 and today can't imagine any way he gets win #2. This lineup won't help him as they are ice cold. Scoring only 4 runs in last three games. Worst hitting team in majors without a doubt.
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Take the R/L small and double down on M/L for DET!!
Rob Vinciletti
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St Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Play: Milwaukee Brewers
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The Cardinals fit a negative system of mine tonight. What we want to do is play against certain road teams off a road favored win at 200 or more, if the total was eight or less and our team was at home and had four or less hits. These road teams are just 3-10 straight up. The Cardinals may be one of the best teams in baseball,however they are just 4-10 this year in the second game of a road series if they won game one. This game is a rematch from September third. In that game the Brewers beat the Cards on the road 4-3. John Smoltz makes the start tonight and he has a 7.76 road era this season. He allowed 4 runs in 6 innings in that home start vs the Brewers a few days ago. Milwaukee will counter with M.Parra tonight. In his three starts vs the Cardinals he has been solid. Parra has pitched 20 innings allowing just five earned runs. He went six innings allowing just two runs in last weeks game. Look for the Brewers bats to bounce back today.
DC Riley
Indiana @ New York
Play: Indiana Fever
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The WNBA season is quickly coming to an end and we have two teams in complete opposite positions in the Eastern Conference. The Indiana Fever at 21-10 is the best in the WNBA East clinching the Conference Title. The New York Liberty at 12-19 rank last in the division and have missed a much coveted playoff berth. With only a week or so away from the playoffs I really see no reason why the Fever cannot continue to win down the stretch playing a solid balanced team effort. Winning there last game 72-61 against Washington was a statement to the conference that they will not let up after slipping 2-7SU Last 7 after being a terrific 17-8SU Last 25. Against the Liberty in historic Madison Square Gardens the Indiana Fever have faired well winning 6 of 8 and covering 4 of 6.
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I fully expect the New York Liberty to play hard and push the pace but with the Liberty playing the bench and rookies like 6'4 Center Kia Vaughn in recent games I see them making to main key mistakes against the Fever who rank 1st in the league in steals and who have a huge advantage in rebounding and overall team chemistry. Lets take the better team looking to run a tight ship to mimic there soon to be playoff performance for a road fav cover.
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Pick: Indiana Fever -2.5
Marc Lawrence
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Minnesota Twins at Toronto Blue Jays
Prediction: Minnesota Twins
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The Twins look to stay in playoff contention when they send rookie flash Brian Duensing to the hill against fellow rookie Ricky Romero north of the border in Toronto tonight. Duensing takes the hill 3-1 with a 1.88 ERA in his team starts for the Twins this season. He's also in great KW form with 4 walks and 18 strikeouts in his last three starts. Meanwhile, Romero has dropped 6 of his last 7 team starts with a 6.36 ERA as he appears to have hit the rookie wall. Back the better team with the better arm here tonight.
Sean Murphy
Texas Rangers @ Cleveland Indians
PICK: Texas Rangers
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The Rangers stumbled in Baltimore over the weekend, losing on both Saturday and Sunday, bringing an end to their 4-game winning streak. A trip to Cleveland should be beneficial as they've taken five of six from the Indians this season, and just won two of three here at Progressive Field in the second week of August.
Texas is playing without two of its best hitters in Josh Hamilton and Michael Young right now, but there are plenty of guys capable of picking up the slack in their absence. Note that Hamilton has struggled all season, so he's not as great a loss as most might think.
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The Indians have a big injury of their own to deal with as Grady Sizemore will miss the remainder of the season. Sizemore had really picked up his game lately, collecting hits in 14 of his last 17 games. He leads the team in both home runs and runs scored so obviously he's a big loss.
Even without Sizemore, the Indians managed to take two of three from the division rival Twins over the weekend. They did so despite scoring only nine runs over the course of the 3-game series. They've now scored three runs or less in four of their last five games, and I don't need to tell you that won't get it done on most nights against the slugging Rangers.
Tommy Hunter has been a solid pitcher to back this season, as the Rangers are 8-5 in his 13 starts. Despite posting a 2-3 team record, Hunter has been outstanding on the road, recording a 2.20 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. He pitched 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball in a 5-0 Rangers victory here in Cleveland on August 12th.
Carlos Carrasco makes his second start of the season for the Tribe. His first didn't go so well, as the Tigers tagged him for nine hits and six earned runs over three innings last Tuesday. He allowed three home runs in that game, which doesn't bode well for him on Monday.
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The Rangers currently sit three games back of the Red Sox in the A.L. Wild Card race, so they obviously need to make hay here in this series. Look for them to get it done against an Indians team that has won just twice in its last seven games. Take Texas.
JIM FEIST
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SEATTLE MARINERS / LOS ANGELES ANGELS
TAKE: UNDER
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Smoke gets in your eyes! A pair of aces on the hill here. Seattle comes to town with a weak offense, 26th in all of baseball in runs scored. At least they have an ace going in Feliz Hernandez, who is 14-5 with a 2.65 ERA, fanning 185 in 193 innings. LA lefty Scott Kazmir has been a fine addition, with a 2.29 ERA his last three starts. He has just 4 walks and 22 Ks in those starts! Play the Mariners/Angels under the total.
Brad Diamond Sports
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Play: St. Louis over Milwaukee
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Tuesday, I will take a small ticket on the visiting Cardinals in their battle with division rival Milwaukee. Restructuring John Smoltz is going for the Cardinals, so the first place contingent has an edge on-deck. St. Louis is 8-2 on the road versus a winning team and 4-0 in game #2 of a series. Finally, St. Louis is 4 of 5 in this series of late. Currently on a 6-1 run MLB Total action I will bury your man on Tuesday evening with a key National League Total.
EZWINNERS
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Philadelphia Phillies @ Washington Nationals
Play: Philadelphia Phillies -139
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The Washington Nationals starting pitcher John Lannan has really been struggling as of late. In his last three starts Lannan is 0-1 with an ERA of 8.59. I'm sure that Lannan is not looking forward to facing a Phillies team that he is 0-5 against lifetime in seven career starts that includes 0-2 this season. Pedro Martinez gets the start for the Phillies and he has pitched very well. Martinez has had plenty of pop on his fastball, often reaching the low 90's on the radar gun, and he has also mixed in an effective changeup. Pedro is 3-0 in five starts and I expect him to pitch well here against the Nat. Usually there might be a worry that the Phillies might not get up to play the lowly Nats, but coming off of a four game sweep at the hands of the Astros, I expect Washington to get the Phillies full attention. Play on Philadelphia.